System for parcel transport and tracking operated responsive to data bearing records

ABSTRACT

A system for parcel transport and tracking that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a plurality of geographically spaced repositories. The exemplary repositories include a plurality of enclosed compartment spaces. Access to each of the enclosed compartment spaces is controlled by respective door which is in operative connection with the respective lock. Central control circuitry in operative connection with the repositories is operative to control access to the compartment spaces and to cause compartments to be selectively accessible so that selected parcels may be placed therein or removed therefrom.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a depository apparatus and system thatoperates to control and record the receipt and removal of deposit itemsin response to data bearing records. Exemplary arrangements relate tosystems that facilitate the pickup and delivery of items.

BACKGROUND

Depositories that operate to accept deposit items from users have beenimplemented in a number of different business environments. Commonlydepositories are implemented for receiving items that are to be providedto an owner of the depository. For example, depositories have beenimplemented to receive financial deposits, utility bill payments orother items of value which are to be provided only to the bank, utilitycompany or other entity that operates the depository. Generally thedepositories are implemented so that once an item has been depositedtherein by the user, only an authorized representative of the depositoryoperator is enabled to access the deposited items and remove them fromthe depository for further processing.

Various endeavors have been made to improve depositories and theprocesses associated with the receipt and removal of deposit items.However, depositories and depository systems may benefit fromimprovements.

SUMMARY

The exemplary arrangements described herein relate to a depositories andassociated systems that operate to accept and make available deposititems such as parcels to authorized users responsive at least in part todata read from data bearing records. Each exemplary depository includesa body that bounds an interior area which is configured to hold deposititems. The exemplary interior area includes one or more compartmentseach of which is accessible through a respective opening. Access throughthe opening to each compartment interior area is controlled by arespective door that is mounted in connection with the body and ismovable between open and closed positions. An electronic lock isassociated with each door. The lock is selectively changeable betweenlocked and unlocked conditions. In the locked condition the lock isoperative to hold the door in the closed position preventing access tothe compartment.

The exemplary depository is in operative connection with at least onesensor comprising a reading device. The reading device is configured toread indicia on items such as parcels that are positionable within theinterior area. The exemplary embodiment further includes at least oneinput device. The at least one input device is usable to input datawhich enables authorized users to access the interior area of thedepository.

In the exemplary arrangement the depository includes control circuitry.The control circuitry is in operative connection with the at least onereading device, the at least one input device, each of the locks and atleast one wireless communication device. Responsive to the receipt ofuser identifying information from data bearing records through the atleast one input device, the control circuitry is operative to cause anaccess determination to be made that the received user identifyinginformation corresponds to stored data associated with an authorizeduser that is authorized to access the interior area of the depository.Responsive at least in part to the determination that the data bearingrecord data corresponds to an authorized user, a lock associated with atleast one compartment is changed from the locked condition to theunlocked condition such that the authorized user can open the door andaccess the compartment interior area.

The exemplary control circuitry is further operative to receive from theat least one reading device item indicia from a deposit item that iseither being placed in or removed from the interior area. The exemplarycontrol circuitry is further operative responsive to the at least onereading device to determine an action status indicative of whether thedeposit item is removed from or placed into the interior area. An itemdetermination is made through operation of the control circuitryconcerning whether the item indicia that is read from the deposit itemcorresponds to stored data associated with a deposit item to be placedinto or removed from the interior area of the depository by theauthorized user.

Once the deposit item has been placed in or removed from the interiorarea of the depository, the door is closed and the control circuitry isoperative to return the lock to the locked condition. A system inoperative connection with the exemplary control circuitry is operativeto track the status of the deposit item. This may include for example,tracking transport of the deposit item to another depository into whichthe item can be deposited by the authorized user who removed it from thefirst depository, so that the item may then undergo further processingactivity. Alternatively, the system may enable a further authorized userto access and remove a deposit item that had been previously placed inthe depository, and track the receipt of the deposit item by anauthorized user that is the authorized recipient of the item.Depositories may include one or a plurality of interior areas the accessto each of which is selectively controlled by a respective door and arespective lock.

Exemplary embodiments of the control circuitry associated with thedepository enable determining the available space in the interior area.This enables evaluating whether the depository or a compartment thereinhas space available to accept a further deposit item prior to a user whois seeking to deposit an item being directed to the depository. Otherexemplary arrangements include one or more indicators which operateresponsive to the control circuitry and the at least one reading device,to provide indications to users that they have placed or removed properdeposit items from the interior area. Other exemplary arrangementsinclude the ability for the depository to provide audit information thatincludes identifying indicia associated with deposit items currentlypositioned in the interior area, as well as data regarding itemspreviously placed in or removed from the depository. Exemplaryarrangements may also capture and store images of users and deposititems to further provide records of activities conducted at thedepository. Further exemplary arrangements provide information to itemcarriers that transport items between depositories and that pickup anddeliver deposit items at customer locations Numerous other features andarrangements may be used in exemplary systems to provide reliable,cost-effective deposit and item tracking capabilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a depository of an exemplary embodimentwith access to the interior area thereof closed, and a portable wirelessdevice which may be used in conjunction with operation of thedepository.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but with the interior area of thedepository accessible from outside the depository.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of exemplary control circuitry used inconnection with the depository.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a network in which the exemplarydepository may be operative.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portable wireless device that is usable by anauthorized user of the depository in connection with obtaining accessthereto for placing items into or removing items from the interior areaof the depository.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the circuitry associated with the deviceof FIG. 5 and an associated system for producing data bearing recordsthat can be associated with deposit items.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the portable wireless device that may be usedby an authorized user to access the interior area of a depository forpurposes of taking deposit items therein for transport.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of circuitry associated with the device ofFIG. 7, including the capabilities for tracking the device and deposititems associated with the user thereof.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of types of data bearing records included inan exemplary system related to authorized users who transport deposititems between depositories.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view listing types of data bearing recordsincluded in an exemplary system associated with depositories related toauthorized users who place deposit items in depositories for subsequenttransport and/or who remove items from depositories for purposes ofreceiving such items.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view listing types of data bearing recordsincluded in an exemplary system which relate to entities that are theowners of the exemplary depositories.

FIGS. 12 through 28 are a schematic representation of logic flow carriedout by the control circuitry of the exemplary depository, associatedcentral system circuitry and devices operated by authorized users whoplace deposit items into and/or remove deposit items from thedepositories.

FIGS. 28 through 30 are a schematic representation logic flow carriedout by the control circuitry of an exemplary depository, associatedcentral system circuitry and devices operated by authorized users inconnection with removing a deposit item from a depository.

FIGS. 31 through 34 are a schematic representation of logic flow carriedout by the control circuitry of the exemplary depository, associatedcentral system circuitry and devices operated by authorized users inconnection with delivery and payment associated with a deposit itemplaced in the depository.

FIG. 35 is a block schematic overview depicting the modules inassociation with the controller and sensor/actuator array.

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a repository embodiment according toaspects of exemplary systems.

FIG. 37 is an exploded perspective view of the repository depicted inFIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is perspective view of the repository shown in FIG. 36, with aparcel delivery chute door in a partially opened position.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the repository shown in FIG. 36, with aparcel delivery chute door in a fully opened position.

FIG. 40 is a block diagram representation of a controller boardaccording to an exemplary arrangement.

FIG. 41 is a diagrammatic representation of a controller boardprocessor/memory and peripherals interface.

FIG. 42 is a block diagram representation of control, data, and addressmessaging between a processor, a peripherals interface and peripheralI/O devices.

FIG. 43 is a block diagram of a controller board according to anexemplary arrangement, showing various peripherals, interface busexamples, power supply and a number of examples of peripherals.

FIG. 44 is a detailed layout of an exemplary embodiment showing acontroller board with connections to various peripherals, a connectionto a delivery lock box and its associated peripherals.

FIGS. 45-48 are views of an alternative item repository including aplurality of selectively accessible interior areas for housing deliveryitems.

FIG. 49 is a schematic view of a system for the delivery of deliveryitems.

FIG. 50 is a schematic view of system circuitry associated with adelivery item system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is showntherein an exemplary depository generally indicated 10. A depository isalternatively referred to herein as a repository. The exemplarydepository shown includes a body 12 which bounds an interior area 14(see FIG. 2). The interior area 14 is accessible from outside the body12 through an opening 16. A door 18 is movably mounted in operativeconnection with the body through hinged connections. The door 18 issized for closing the opening 16 when the door is in a closed positionas shown in FIG. 1. The door 18 is movable to an open position shown inFIG. 2 in which at least a portion of the door is disposed from theopening 16 and the interior area 14 is accessible from outside the body12.

The exemplary depository 10 further includes at least one input device20. In the exemplary embodiment the at least one input device includes amanually accessible input device that is operatively accessible when thedoor is in the closed position. In some exemplary embodiments the atleast one input device 20 includes a keypad through which codes can bemanually input. Further in exemplary arrangements the at least one inputdevice includes a radio frequency (RF) input device such as a wirelesstransceiver that is operative to communicate wireless signals with aportable wireless device 22. In some exemplary arrangements the RF inputdevice may include a wireless communication device that is operative tocommunicate signals via a Bluetooth, NFC, cellular or other wirelesscommunication method.

In other exemplary embodiments input devices may include other types ofreaders or devices that are operative to receive or read indicia.Exemplary input devices may include without limitation, card readers,token readers, barcode readers, infrared readers or other types ofdevices that may receive inputs that are usable to determine whetheraccess to the depository should be provided. Of course it should beunderstood that multiple different types of input devices may be used inoperative connection with a single depository depending on the accessrequirements thereto.

The exemplary depository further includes at least one electricallyactuated lock 24. In the exemplary embodiment the lock is changeablebetween a locked condition in which the door 18 is held in a closedposition, and an unlocked condition in which the door is enabled to bemoved from the closed position to the open position. The exemplarydepository is in operative connection with at least one sensor whichcomprises a reading device 26. In the exemplary embodiment the at leastone reading device may include one or a plurality of image capturedevices including at least one camera. In other arrangements the readermay comprise a portable wireless device. The at least one reading deviceof the exemplary arrangement is usable to read machine readable indicia28 that is included on deposit items 30. In exemplary arrangements thereading devices 26 are operative to read indicia such as bar codes(including without limitation two-dimensional bar codes and QR codes)that are included on deposit items. Further in exemplary arrangementsthe at least one reading device is operative to capture informationusable to make a status determination that a deposit item is removedfrom or placed into the interior area of the depository. It should beunderstood however that although in the exemplary embodiment the sensorscomprising reading devices operate to read visible indicia and captureimages, in other arrangements other types of reading devices that readdifferent types of signals or indicia may be utilized. This may includefor example, card readers, fingerprint readers or other types ofbiometric readers including cameras or microphones, LIDAR image capturedevices and readers that are capable of communicating using wirelesssignals such as the wireless input devices previously discussed.

The exemplary depository 10 further includes at least one indicator 32.As later discussed, the exemplary at least one indicator may include anoutput device operative to provide an indication as to whether a deposititem that is being placed in or removed from the interior area of thedepository is a correct item to be removed by the particular user whohas accessed the depository. In other exemplary arrangements the atleast one indictor may include an output device in operative connectionwith the depository, such as an output device of a user's portablewireless device. The exemplary depository further includes at least onesensor that comprises a weight sensor 43. The at least one weight sensoris usable to determine the weight of one or more items that are withinan interior area of the depository. The exemplary depository furtherincludes a wireless communication device 34. The wireless communicationdevice which is alternatively referred to herein as a wirelesscommunication portal or a wireless communication interface is operativeto enable the control circuitry associated with the depository tocommunicate with one or more local or remote systems or devices as laterdiscussed. In some arrangements the wireless communications device mayinclude a wireless input device 20. Exemplary depository 10 furtherincludes solar panels 36. The exemplary solar panels 36 are in supportedconnection with the door 18 and are suitable for providing electricalpower to the depository from exposure of the solar panels to sunlight.In the exemplary arrangement a manually engageable handle 38 is inoperative connection with the door 18 to facilitate the manual openingand closing thereof by authorized users. Of course it should beunderstood that these depository devices and configurations areexemplary and in other embodiments other configurations may be used.

As shown schematically in FIG. 3 the exemplary depository is inoperative correction with control circuitry 40. The exemplary controlcircuitry includes one or more circuits which are operative tocommunicate electrical signals and control the operation of the devicesof the depository. The control circuitry may be located proximate to thedepository or may have some portions remotely located therefrom. In theexemplary arrangement the control circuitry 40 includes at least onecircuit including at least one processor schematically indicated 42 andat least one data store schematically indicated 44. In exemplaryarrangements the processor may include a processor suitable for carryingout circuit executable instructions that are stored in the one or moreassociated data stores. The processor includes or is in operativeconnection with a non-volatile storage medium including instructionsthat include a basic input/output system (BIOS). For example, theprocessor may correspond to one or more of a combination of a CPU, FPGA,ASIC or any other integrated circuit or other type of circuit that iscapable of processing data and instructions. The one or more data storesmay correspond to one or more of volatile or non-volatile memories suchas random access memory, flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory,solid state memory or other devices that are operative to store computerexecutable instructions and data. Processor executable instructions mayinclude instructions in any of a plurality of programming languages andformats including, without limitation, routines, subroutines, programs,scripts, threads of execution, objects, methodologies and functionswhich carry out the actions such as those described herein. Structuresfor processors may include, correspond to and utilize the principlesdescribed in the textbook entitled Microprocessor Architecture,Programming and Applications with the 8085 by Ramesh S. Gaonker(Prentice Hall 2002), which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. Exemplary arrangements may include processors made by IntelCorporation, Advanced Micro Devices or other suitable processors. Ofcourse it should be understood that these processors are exemplary ofmany types of processors that may be used.

The exemplary data stores used in connection with exemplary embodimentsmay include one or more of several types of mediums suitable for holdingcircuit executable instructions and data. Such instructions and data maybe non-transitory. These may include for example, magnetic media,optical media, solid-state media or other types of media such as RAM,ROM, PROM, flash memory, computer hard drives or any other form of mediasuitable for holding data and circuit executable instructions. Exemplarycontrol circuitry may include other components such as hardware and/orsoftware interfaces for communication with devices within the depositoryor for communication with external devices and systems. The exemplarycontrol circuitry 40 further includes a clock 46. The clock is operativeto provide time functions in connection with operation of the depositoryand associated systems as later discussed.

As represented in FIG. 3 the control circuitry 40 is in operativeconnection with the at least one input device 20, the lock 24 and the atleast one sensor including the at least one reading device 26. Thecontrol circuitry 40 is further in operative connection with the atleast one indicator 32, the at least one weight sensor 43 and the atleast one wireless communication device 34. In the exemplary arrangementthe devices of the depository and the control circuitry are powered by abattery 48. The battery 48 is in operative connection with the solarpanels 36. The control circuitry is operative to control the delivery ofpower to the battery such that the battery maintains a suitable powerlevel for operating the depository during both light and darkness.However other embodiments may include other power sources, including theability to connect to a suitable available supply of household currentor other power for purposes of operating the depository.

While the exemplary depository includes a single interior area forholding deposit items, other depositories may have other configurations.Such other configurations may include a plurality of interior areas orcompartments, each of which are accessible via a respective opening,each of which openings has an associated closable door, drawer or otherclosure member, each of which is referred to herein as a door forbrevity. Exemplary arrangements of depositories including a plurality ofinterior areas are discussed hereafter in this detailed description.

FIG. 4 shows schematically an exemplary network 50 in which depository10 may be operated. It should be understood that this exemplary networkarrangement is shown schematically and in exemplary arrangements thenetwork may include a plurality of interconnected networks.

In the exemplary arrangement a plurality of depositories 10, 52, 54, 56and 58 are in operative connection with the network. In exemplaryarrangements all these depositories may be similar to depository 10previously discussed. The control circuitry associated with each of thedepositories is operative to communicate in the network through therespective wireless communication device associated with the depositorywhich may be alternatively referred to herein as a wireless transceiver.Of course it should be understood that in other arrangements thedepositories may be in operative connection with one or more networksvia other wired or wireless communication methods. Further it should beunderstood that exemplary embodiments may include a much larger numberof depositories than is represented in FIG. 4.

The exemplary network 50 is in operative connection with central systemcircuitry 60. The exemplary central circuitry includes one or moreprocessors and data stores of the types previously discussed. In somearrangements the central system circuitry 60 which is alternativelyreferred to herein as central circuitry, may include one or more serverswith associated data stores 62 that perform the functions hereinafterdescribed. Exemplary arrangements may include central system circuitrylocated at a single location, or central system circuitry in adistributed arrangement of control circuitry which operates in a cloudenvironment, virtual server environment or other suitable environmentfor performing the functions described herein. Numerous different typesof central system circuitry arrangements may be utilized in connectionwith exemplary embodiments.

The exemplary network further includes a plurality of portable wirelessdevices that are operated by users who wish to send deposit items toothers or to receive deposit items from others through the use of thedepositories and associated system. Devices 64, 66 and 68 in FIG. 4 arerepresentative of devices associated with individuals who send and/orreceive deposit items.

In exemplary arrangements the devices may comprise portable wirelessdevices associated with users who are registered users of the system. Insome exemplary arrangements the registered users may have stored in atleast one data store associated with the central system circuitry, useridentifying data such as an ID token that uniquely identifies theregistered user, contact data associated with a device of the registereduser such as a communication address such as a phone number or networkaddress associated with a user's portable wireless device, funds sourcedata that corresponds to a source of funds such as a credit or debitcard account or similar monetary account which in exemplary arrangementsmay be credited or debited through operation of the system, as well asother associated data. Of course it should be understood that this datathat is associated with registered system users is exemplary and inother arrangements other types of registered user information may beutilized.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an exemplary portable wireless device 64 that is usedby such users in the exemplary network. Device 64 in some exemplaryarrangements may include a portable smart phone, tablet or otherportable wireless device which includes user input devices and useroutput devices such as an associated touchscreen 70. The exemplarydevice 64 may include other input devices such as a camera 72, as wellas an audio input device such as a microphone 74 and an audio outputdevice such as a speaker 76. A biometric reader such as the camera, themicrophone or other reader such as a fingerprint reader may also beincluded. The exemplary device 64 further includes at least one wirelesscommunication device 78. The at least one wireless communication devicemay include a device suitable for Wi-Fi or cellular communications. Theat least one wireless communication device 78 may also include a localRF communication device for providing Bluetooth or NFC communication. Ofcourse these devices are exemplary.

The exemplary device further includes control circuitry 80. The controlcircuitry is similar to that previously discussed and may include atleast one processor 82 and at least one data store like those previouslydescribed. The exemplary control circuitry is in operative connectionwith the component devices of the device 64 as shown. In addition tocommunicating in the network 50, the exemplary device 64 is also enabledto communicate with other devices in other networks such as network 86.Network 86 may include a printer 88 or other device that is operative toproduce data bearing records 90. Such data bearing records may includelabels bearing parcel identifying indicia or other data suitable for usein connection with the exemplary embodiments later discussed.

The exemplary network 50 is also in communication with the plurality ofportable wireless devices associated with individuals who are itemcarriers that transport deposit items between depositories. Theseportable wireless devices schematically indicated 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100may be used by authorized and/or registered system users to accessdepositories for purposes of placing deposit items therein or removingdeposit items therefrom. Deposit items are alternatively referred toherein as delivery items or parcels.

As represented in FIGS. 7 and 8 the exemplary portable wireless devicessuch as device 92, that is operated as a carrier contact device by anindividual user who is an item carrier that transports deposit items,may include mobile phone devices including an input output device suchas a touchscreen 102. Exemplary device 92 may further include a camera104, as well as a microphone 106 and a speaker 108. It may also includeother types of biometric readers and other devices. The exemplary device92 further includes at least one wireless communication device 110. Theat least one wireless communication device 110 may include a Wi-Fiinterface, cellular phone interface, Bluetooth, NFC or other wirelessinterface of the types previously discussed. Further in the exemplaryarrangement device 92 includes a wireless communication interfacesuitable for providing tracking of the device via a global positioningsystem (GPS). The GPS capability enables tracking the device as well asthe item carrier user and deposit items associated therewith in a mannerthat is later discussed. Alternatively, cellular tracking systems orother tracking systems may be used. The exemplary device furtherincludes control circuitry 112. The control circuitry 112 includes atleast one processor and at least one data store of the types previouslydescribed. The control circuitry 112 enables operation of the device 92in the manner later discussed.

The exemplary network 50 is also in operative connection with portablewireless devices which are operated by entities that are owners ofrespective depositories or other entities having responsibility fordepositories, which are also referred to as owners herein. Such ownersare registered system users in the exemplary arrangement. These portablewireless devices schematically represented 114, 116 may be similar inexemplary embodiments to wireless device 64 previously discussed.However such devices may further include circuit executable instructionsthat additionally provide capabilities for the owner of the depositoryto receive payments from the operator of the system for the use of theirdepositories in connection with the storage and transport of deposititems. In exemplary arrangements such payments are made for the receipt,storage or delivery of deposit items that are placed into the depositoryby third parties for purposes of having the deposit items transported toan entity other than the entity associated with the particulardepository into which the item is deposited or received into therepository for purposes or pick up by another delivery item recipient.It should be understood that the network configuration 50 and thedevices in operative connection therewith are exemplary. Numerous othertypes of devices, network configurations and arrangements may beutilized in connection with exemplary embodiments. Further while theexemplary devices operated by users of the system have been generallydescribed as portable wireless devices, it should be understood thatother types of stationary or portable computer devices may be operatedin connection with the system to carry out the functions describedherein.

In exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry 60 is operativeto include in at least one or more associated data stores 62, datarecords related to devices that are utilized in connection with theexemplary system. For example in exemplary arrangements the data storesinclude identifying data regarding each depository and its respectivelocation. Data stores may include data regarding registered system usersof the types previously discussed. The stored data regardingdepositories in exemplary embodiments also includes data regarding theentity that is the owner of the depository, and restrictions that theentity who is the owner of the depository may have placed on the usethereof. For example in some arrangements the owner of the depositorymay restrict use solely to receiving therein or having removed therefromdeposit items that are received or sent by the owner of the depository.Other depository owners may establish rules which allow other entitiesto provide deposit items into the depository for transport elsewhere, orto receive items in the depository that can be taken from the depositoryby the authorized recipient entities.

Other exemplary rules that may be established in connection withdepositories may include only having the depository available to beaccessed by certain transport users, such as users who have achieved acertain security level or performance rating. This may include forexample transport users for deposit items who have achieved above acertain rating based on background checks and/or measured metrics forperformance, reliability and dependability. Other rules associated withdepositories may include restrictions on days of the week and/or timesduring particular days when entities other than the depository owner, ispermitted to access the depository. Numerous different restrictions maybe set for depositories by depository owners or the central systemcircuitry operator for purposes of operating the depository inconnection with the system.

In addition stored data regarding depositories may include informationrelated to security features or other features associated with thedepository. For example in order to provide secure communication betweenthe central circuitry and each depository, the depository and thecentral circuitry may have respective public and private key pairs anddigital certificates that enable secure communication between thecentral circuitry and the control circuitry of the respectivedepository. This enables the control circuitry of the depository and thecentral circuitry to identify the system originating messages and to beassured of the origin of received messages. In addition the centralcircuitry and the control circuitry of each depository may includerespective programming that enables the sending of instructions or othermessages which enable the operation or performance of certain functions.For example the control circuitry of the respective depository mayinclude programming from the central system that is operative to causethe locking or unlocking of the respective lock of the depository inresponse to the receipt of certain messages and/or data by thedepository from the central system. Further in exemplary arrangementsthe central system may be operative to cause the control circuitry of arespective depository to operate the plurality of reading devicestherein for purposes of determining the amount of space that iscurrently available in the interior area of the depository. Suchfunctionality may enable the central circuitry to determine the abilityof the particular depository to accept therein a deposit item having aparticular size that may be available for deposit into the depository.

Further in exemplary embodiments the central circuitry may operate inaccordance with its programming to maintain data corresponding to theindicia associated with deposit items that are currently positioned inthe interior area of each depository. Further, in exemplary arrangementsthe central system may communicate with a respective depository so as tocause the control circuitry thereof to deliver to the central circuitry,data corresponding to activities that have been conducted at thedepository. This may include not only the indicia usable to identifydeposit items currently therein, but also historical record data relatedto deposit items placed into the depository and/or deposit items removedtherefrom, and data associated with the users and times associated witheach respective activity that has occurred. In exemplary arrangementseach depository may also operate to have its control circuitry storeimages associated with activities that occur at the depository. This mayinclude images of each user who places a deposit item into or removes adeposit item from the interior area of the depository. Such image datamay also include item identifying indicia included on each item that isplaced in or removed from the depository by the authorized user as wellas other data associated with each event or activity that has occurred.Instructions communicated from the central circuitry may be operative tocause the control circuitry of a respective depository to send imagedata corresponding to the captured images associated with the activitiesthat have occurred at the depository. This may further enabledocumenting the deposit or removal of deposit items as well asfacilitate resolving any discrepancies which may occur. Of course thesefunctions and capabilities, and stored record data of the centralcircuitry and each depository is exemplary, and in other embodimentsother approaches may be used.

Further in exemplary embodiments the central system circuitry 60 isoperative to include in the at least one data store 62 informationregarding the devices and authorized and/or registered users who utilizethe depositories included in the system. For example in an exemplaryembodiment the central circuitry is operative to include the informationshown in FIG. 9 for the devices such as devices 92, 94, 96, 98 and 100that are operated by the authorized users who access the depositoriesand transport deposit items. In the exemplary arrangements each of theauthorized and/or registered users has included in the data storeassociated with their portable wireless device, identifying data that isusable in conjunction with the depositories to indicate that the user ofthe device is an authorized and/or registered user. Such data mayinclude for example, ID token information which can be utilized toidentify the user as an authorized and/or registered user. Such tokeninformation may include digital information that can be correlatedthrough operation of the central circuitry with the identity of theparticular individual that is associated with operation of theparticular device. In addition such token information may include othertypes of data which can be used for identification purposes. Such othertypes of data may include for example, user biometric data such asfingerprint data, iris scan data or other data that comprises recorddata that is uniquely associated with the user.

Further in other exemplary arrangements stored data regarding users mayinclude other record data which may be utilized in connection withoperation of the system. For example in systems that utilize card datafor purposes of accessing depositories, the record data maintained bythe central circuitry may include the data corresponding to therespective user's card data and other associated data for the respectiveuser. This enables the system to compare the data received through theat least one input device of a depository, to stored data so as toidentify the person seeking access to the depository as an authorizeduser who is appropriately authorized to have access thereto. Of coursethe approaches described in connection with the authorized users areexemplary, and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

Further as described in connection with FIG. 9, the record dataassociated with devices operated by users who transport items mayinclude information regarding payments to such users. In the exemplarysystem the users who transport items between the depositories are paidfor the transport services. The payment for services may be based oncertain information regarding the particular depository item that istransported such as, the size of the item, the weight of the item, thedistance and timing associated with such transport and other factors.The exemplary data that is stored by the central circuitry furtherincludes data regarding payments that are made to the individuals whoperform the transport services. Such payment data may also include datasuch as account data associated with a funds source of the user whichenables the making of the payments to the user for the servicesprovided. Alternatively such funds source data may be associated with anaccount that can be credited for amounts payable or refundable. This mayinclude for example, information regarding a PayPal account, a Venmoaccount, a bank account, an electronic stored value account or otheraccounts into which appropriate payments to such users may be made.

Further in the exemplary arrangement the central circuitry is operativeto include data regarding the activities that are performed by eachrespective user who is an item carrier that transports deposit items inconnection with the system. Such data may include contact data for themobile wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier such as acommunication address of the carrier contract device. Such data mayinclude metrics which include information on the timeliness andreliability of the particular individual. For example as laterdiscussed, transport activities associated with particular deposit itemsare assigned by the system to the particular authorized user, and theactivity is reserved to the user for a particular time. In cases wherethe particular user that is initially assigned to the activity does notperform the activity within the allotted time, the system is operativeto reassign the activity to another item carrier user. Such events wherean activity is not performed by a user is considered significant to theuser's performance. Likewise in situations where an authorized user hastaken longer than would normally be expected to accomplish the transportof the deposit item to a depository destination, such factors would alsobe significant in terms of the user's associated metrics. Losses ofitems and cases of misdirected deposit items are also significantmetrics. These and other metrics are recorded through operation of thecentral system circuitry with regard to each authorized item carriertransport user.

Further the exemplary central system circuitry is operative to applyratings to each authorized user based on the metrics that are associatedwith the user's performance. Such user ratings may be utilized inconnection with screening authorized users for purposes of accessingcertain depositories and/or handling certain types or values of deposititems. Such ratings may also be utilized in connection with determiningthe rate that is paid to the user for the transport activities that areperformed. Of course these categories that are represented in FIG. 9 areexemplary and in other embodiments other or additional informationregarding such users may be stored and evaluated through operation ofthe central circuitry.

FIG. 10 shows exemplary records and data items that may be associatedwith shipper and recipient users and their associated devices that placeitems into depositories for purposes of requesting deliveries to otherdepositories and/or that receive items from depositories. In theexemplary network arrangement this data would be associated with devices64, 66 and 68 of registered users. As is the case in connection withindividuals and devices that provide transport services, the dataassociated with these devices include ID tokens or other identifyingrecord information that can be utilized to reliably identify the user ordevice is one that is authorized to access the depository. As theindividuals that provide the functions of providing deposit items to betransported to the depositories will generally be required to pay forthe transport services, the central circuitry includes data for suchusers that include a fund source such as account data for assessingcharges associated with payments for shipments. This may include creditcard accounts, bank accounts, PayPal accounts or other suitable accountsfrom which payments may be made.

Further in the exemplary system individuals in this category may chooseto travel an extended distance to a depository in order to receive adeposit item that would otherwise be handled by an item carrier userthat is paid to transport the item to a destination depositorysubstantially closer to the recipient or to a designated deliveryaddress that is not a depository. In the exemplary system if therecipient chooses to conduct a substantial portion of the transport bytaking the item from a depository that is remotely located from thedestination that the person arranging for shipment has paid to have theitem delivered to, then the central circuitry is operative to compensatethe recipient for the transport activity associated with picking up theitem from the remote destination. As such the exemplary centralcircuitry includes data regarding account information which can becredited for pickup amounts to which the authorized user receiving anitem may be entitled. This account information may include accountinformation for accounts which can be credited with value to therecipient for transport and pick up of deposit items. Of course itshould be understood that the data types shown for this category ofauthorized user and their associated devices in FIG. 10 is merelyexemplary of some items of information which may be included in recordsof the central circuitry.

FIG. 11 shows exemplary record data that is associated with owners ofdepositories and their associated devices. The data shown in FIG. 11would generally be associated with the devices 114, 116 that werepreviously discussed in connection with the exemplary network 50.Similar to other devices, the devices associated with depository ownerswould include the identifying information which identifies the user asan authorized or registered shipper or recipient user. In addition inthe exemplary arrangement the records associated with the depositoryowner includes data regarding the restrictions on the depositories suchas those previously discussed. The exemplary central circuitry isoperative to associate the depository owner with the respectivedepository that is owned by the depository owner and to cause therestrictions set by the owner for the depository to be applicable to therecords associated with the depository in the one or more data stores ofthe central circuitry.

Further in the exemplary arrangements the depository owners aregenerally entities that engage in sending deposit items for transportand receiving deposit items. As such the data associated with thedepository owners includes a funds source such as account informationcorresponding to accounts which can be assessed for charges associatedwith transport of deposit items to remote depository destinations.Further in exemplary arrangements the central circuitry is operative tocompensate depository owners for deposit items that are placed in thedepository of the depository owner by other authorized user individualsfor purposes of transport to other depositories. In the exemplaryarrangement the depository owner is compensated for the use of theirdepository by such third parties. The exemplary system is operative toinclude in the data associated with the depository owners, accountinformation concerning accounts that are credited through operation thecentral circuitry for the use of the depository by other authorizedentities.

Of course the types of record data shown as maintained by the centralcircuitry for the different types of devices and users associated withthe system, is exemplary. Additional types of information will generallybe stored in association with the various types of devices and users tofacilitate operation of the system and to provide record-keeping andtracking for the activities that are carried out in connectiontherewith. Further as can be appreciated, the central circuitry isoperative to store data associated with the whereabouts of deposit itemsthat are moving through the system at all times, and to track the statusof depositories, and individuals who provide transport for the items,such that the whereabouts of each deposit item throughout the term ofits inclusion in the system can be determined at all times. In exemplaryarrangements the central circuitry is operative to estimate arrivaltimes for depository items at destination depositories and makes suchdata available to users responsible for sending the items andrecipients. Further historical information on each deposit item is alsomaintained for a programmed time. To assure that any errors or losssituations can be tracked, investigated and remedied, tracking and imagedata can be accessed through the central system circuitry as well asfrom each of the respective depositories.

A schematic representation of the logic flow that is carried out throughoperation of the central system circuitry, the depositories and theportable wireless devices of entities that provide, transport andreceive deposit items, is shown in FIGS. 12 through 27. This exemplarylogic flow of each of the devices involved is exemplary and is describedin connection with an example that is intended to be representative ofthe operation of the various devices. Deposit items are alternativelyreferred to herein as delivery items or parcels. Of course numerousother features and operations may be utilized in connection withexemplary embodiments.

The example of the logic flow commences with an authorized user of thesystem who wishes to have a deposit item transported to a remotedestination operating their respective portable wireless device such aswireless device 64. In the exemplary logic flow the entity wishing tohave the deposit item transported may be referred to as a shipper forpurposes of simplicity in connection with this particular example.

As represented in a step 118 the individual wishing to have a deposititem transported operates their associated device such as device 64 toprovide inputs which indicate that they wish to have an itemtransported. In a next step 120 the user operates the device to provideinputs which are usable to identify the user as an authorized and/orregistered user of the system. In a next step 122 the user is operativeto provide inputs to their device which indicates the payment methodthat will be utilized to make payment for the transport of the deposititem. In exemplary arrangements this may include selection from a menuto indicate the type of payment or account that the user wishes toutilize in connection with the deposit item. The user may also berequired to provide information or respond to certain questionsregarding the item. These questions may include providing informationregarding whether the item is flammable or otherwise hazardous. Theindividual may also be required to indicate whether the item containsperishable or fragile material. The user may also be required to provideinformation regarding the dimensions of the item, the weight of the itemand/or the value of the item. Of course these queries are merelyexemplary.

In a step 124 the user operates the device to indicate a delivery itemoriginating address which corresponds to the origin for the transport ofthe deposit item. This may include the user's business address or otheraddress. In some arrangements the originating address may include abusiness address associated with the particular depository into whichthe deposit item will eventually be placed for purposes of initiatingthe transport activity. In a step 126 the user inputs to the device theaddress information for the delivery item destination location whichcorresponds to a point or area of delivery of the particular deposititem. This may include an address associated with a remote depositorythat is associated with the entity that will receive the deposit item.Alternatively in other arrangements the delivery address may include anaddress or area associated with an entity that does not have a dedicateddepository. In such cases the delivery address may include informationregarding an authorized user of the system that is enabled to access adepository is located in proximity to them for purposes of receiving thedeposit item to be transported. In other arrangements the deliverylocation may be a commercial or residential address which is the addressof the recipient.

In the exemplary arrangement the user wishing to arrange for transportof an item may wish to pay an incentive fee in order to have the itemdelivered more promptly or under certain circumstances. In the exemplaryarrangement the programming associated with the user device enables theuser arranging for transport to apply an incentive for particulardelivery parameters or timing that is associated with the particulardeposit item. This is represented in a step 128. This may be a paymentfor delivery within a set time such as within one day, for example. Ofcourse if the user does not wish to apply an incentive, the programmingassociated with the device will cause the standard rates set throughoperation of the central circuitry to apply.

The exemplary programming associated with the user's device may includethe capability to capture images of the deposit item such that the sizeof the deposit item can be assessed. In some exemplary arrangements theuser device may require the user to input dimensions of the deposit itemand/or the weight thereof via a touch screen or other input device. Thisis represented in a step 130. Assessing the size of the deposit item isuseful for purposes of enabling the central system circuitry todetermine depositories where sufficient space is available in theinterior area for purposes of receiving the deposit item therein at thepresent time. This may be done in the manner previously discussed usingthe reading devices that are included in the respective depositories.The size as well as weight can also be factors in determining thecharges for transport of the deposit item.

In some exemplary arrangements the user may have circuit executableinstructions on their mobile device or other computer that guides a userto provide the necessary information for shipment. In other arrangementsthe central circuitry may provide an online portal which the user mayaccess to receive the prompts to input necessary information, and towhich the information may be supplied.

In the exemplary arrangement, once the information has been input by theuser to the device, the information regarding the request to transportthe deposit item is submitted to the central system circuitry as atleast one transport request message represented in a step 132. Thecentral circuitry is then operative to verify the identifyinginformation associated with the user that has submitted the request.This is represented in a step 134. This may include comparing useridentifying data stored in the user device such as a ID token that isincluded in the at least one transport request message, with stored dataassociated with authorized users by the central circuitry. The centralcircuitry is also operative to verify that the user who has submittedthe request has indicated a suitable funds source which provides apayment method associated with the central system in order to makepayment for the transport of the deposit item. The central systemcircuitry may also analyze the delivery item size data and/or weightdata included in the at least one transport request message to determineif the delivery item is suitable or transport through the system. Thisis represented in a step 136.

The central circuitry then operates to assign a parcel ID to theparticular deposit item as represented in step 138. The parcel ID isalternatively referred to herein as a delivery item identifier. The dataprovided by the user regarding the originating location and destinationlocation for the transport of the deposit item is also stored in atleast one data store associated with the central circuitry asrepresented in step 140. The central circuitry is then operativeresponsive to the originating location information to resolve anoriginating depository that is considered the most suitable for receiptof the deposit item. This is represented in a step 142. Generally theoriginating depository will be the depository located in closestgeographical proximity to the user wishing to have the deposit itemtransported. However, in order to assure that space for the deposit itemis available in the nearest depository, the central circuitry operatesas represented at a step 144 to determine if the delivery item is of asuitable side and/or weight to be transported and communicate with theinitially selected depository to verify that sufficient space isavailable to accept a deposit item of the size that was determined atstep 130. If such space is not available, the central circuitry operatesto determine an alternative available originating depository that hasthe space available to receive the deposit item therein. The centralsystem circuitry is operative to evaluate at least one of the sizeand/or the weight of the deposit item to determine if it is within atleast one size or weight limit. If the deposit item is not suitable fortransit due to size, weight or space factors the request is flagged tobe declined or be processed in a manner that provides special handling.

As represented in a step 146, once the originating depository forreceiving the deposit item is resolved, the central circuitry operatesto generate a one-time code to be input by the authorized user forpurposes of accessing the depository. The one-time code is alternativelyreferred to herein as an item depositor access code. The centralcircuitry is operative to correlate stored data corresponding to atleast two of the authorized user identifying data, the delivery itemidentifier and the depository which receives the item from the userand/or a respective interior area thereof, in the at least one datastore. In a step 148 the central circuitry is then operative to send theoriginating depository location information and the code data to theuser's device. In exemplary arrangements the depository identifying datafor the originating depository may include GPS coordinates, address dataor other information that can be used to locate the depository.

As represented at step 150 the user's device is operative to receive thedata from the central circuitry. In situations where the transaction isnot accepted due to an invalid funds source or a parcel size or weightoutside a set limit, the user is notified the transaction is denied, oralternatively the user is provided with instructions to obtain specialhandling. If the transaction may proceed the user may then operate theirdevice in the manner represented in FIG. 6 to produce a data bearingrecord which includes data representative of the origin and destinationaddress as well as indicia corresponding to the delivery item identifierwhich uniquely identifies the deposit item. The delivery item identifieris alternatively referred to herein as a parcel identifier. This isrepresented by a step 152. In the exemplary arrangements the deliveryitem identifier may be encoded in identifying indicia that may include amachine readable bar code, a QR code or other suitable machine readableindicia which comprises record data which can be read for purposes ofidentifying the deposit item. As represented in a step 154 in theexemplary arrangement the user may operate their device in associationwith a label printer to produce a label which is then applied to thedeposit item. In the exemplary arrangement the label that is applied tothe deposit item is externally visible such that the machine readableindicia thereon that corresponds to the delivery item identifier can beread through operation of the reading devices such as a reader includedin the depository or a user's portable wireless device. The label mayalso include human readable indicia so that the particular deposit itemcan be visually identified by item carrier users or other users whoaccess the depository. Of course it should be understood that in otherexemplary arrangements other types of indicia may be utilized forpurposes of providing identifying indicia. Such indicia may include forexample, programmable RFID tags, QR codes, a signature or other manuallymade indicia, an image of the deposit item, or other indicia that may beplaced in operative connection with a deposit item for purposes ofenabling the identification of the item through operation of the system.

As represented in a step 156 the user seeking to have the deposit itemtransported may utilize their device to guide their travel to the GPSlocation or other location as identified to the device, so that the usermay place the item into the originating depository. In the exemplaryarrangement the user operates their device to cause data correspondingto a data bearing record which identifies the user, to the at least oneinput device on the depository. This is represented by a step 158. Inthe exemplary arrangement the user device is operative to send useridentifying data such as the user token data to the RF input deviceincluded in the depository. The depository receives the user identifyingdata as represented in step 160. The control circuitry of the exemplarydepository is operative to enable the keypad of the exemplary embodimentto receive a manually input code therethrough from the user asrepresented at step 162. The input code may correspond to the one-timedepositor access code. Alternatively, in some arrangements the one timeaccess code may be delivered wirelessly from the user's device to the RFinput device. Further in some arrangements user identifying data and theone time code may be replaced by a single code string or object. Asrepresented at step 164 the control circuitry of the depository isoperative to wirelessly transmit at least one message including datacorresponding to the received user identifying data and the one-timecode as well as depository identifying data to the central circuitry.This may be done in a suitably encrypted manner or using other suitablesecurity techniques to assure that the data is not compromised.

The central system circuitry is operative to receive the data from thedepository as represented at a step 166. The central circuitry thenoperates as represented at step 168 to verify that the received useridentifying information corresponds to the authorized user, and that theone-time code corresponds to the code provided to the user in connectionwith the request to transport the deposit item. In the exemplaryarrangement the central circuitry is operative to assign to the user anitem depositor access code that can be utilized only on one occasion forpurposes of opening the central system assigned interior area of thedepository. This prevents the authorized user from opening otherdepositories or other interior areas of the same depository, or openingthe depository on multiple occasions using the provided code. Of courseit should be understood that this approach is exemplary and in otherarrangements other approaches may be used.

Responsive to the central circuitry making a determination based onstored data that the data received by the depository from the user isthe appropriate data for the user accessing the depository in connectionwith receiving the deposit item, the central circuitry is operative tosend one or more messages to the depository as represented in step 170.The messages include instructions and/or data which are operative tocause the repository control circuitry of the depository to unlock thelock which holds the designated depository door in the closed position.At a step 172 the control circuitry of the depository operates to verifythat the received message data corresponds to an authorized message fromthe central circuitry to unlock the lock. This may be done by ananalysis of the received message data including decryption of theinstructions and other data included in the message which verifies theinstructions as appropriately authorized by the central circuitry.

If the control circuitry of the depository determines that the messagedata from the central circuitry is genuine, the circuitry operates tocause the lock associated with the appropriate door and compartment tobe changed from the locked condition to the unlocked condition. This isrepresented at a step 174. The exemplary control circuitry then operatesto detect the opening of the depository door. In some arrangements thecontrol circuitry causes the plurality of reading devices to operate tocapture images including the indicia corresponding to the delivery itemidentifier included on the depository item as represented at step 176.The control circuitry also operates to capture images showing the useras well as the deposit item as it is being placed into the interior areaof the depository. These images are stored in the data store associatedwith the control circuitry of the depository along with time data toindicate when the activity occurred. In other exemplary arrangements theuser may be instructed to operate their portable wireless device to havea camera thereon capture an image of the item identifying indicia on thedeposit item, identifying indicia on the depository, or both. This isrepresented by a step 178.

Further in exemplary arrangements data from the at least one weightsensor may be captured to verify placement of the item in the depositoryand/or to detect the weight of the item. The additional weight added tothe depository may be used to verify that the weight indicated for theitem by the shipper is accurate. If the item is substantially heavierthan specified in the at least one transport request message, the personrequesting the shipment may be assessed an additional charge. Sensorssuch as image capture devices such as cameras or LIDAR sensors may beused to capture data that is used to determine the size of the item.This may be done so that the central system circuitry can verify thatthe parcel size is consistent with the parcel size data included in theat least one transport request message. Image sensors, sonic sensors orother sensors may operate to capture other properties such as color,sound absorption, reflectivity of light or sound waves, or other typesof signals as well as combinations thereof. Further the weight, sizeand/or other property (or a combination of properties) associated withthe item may be used by the central system circuitry as an additionalidentifying feature and tracking identifier for the item. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary.

In the exemplary arrangement the control circuitry associated with thedepository is operative to send at least one message including datacorresponding to the indicia read, detected and/or sensed from thedeposit item to the central circuitry as represented at step 180. Thecentral circuitry receives the data as represented at step 182 andverifies that the received data and read indicia corresponds to theidentifying information associated with the deposit item and theauthorized user who is authorized to place the deposit item in thedepository. This is represented by step 184. The central circuitry isthen operative to send one or more messages to the depository indicatingthat the deposit item is acceptable into the depository. This isrepresented by a step 186. It should be understood however that if thecentral circuitry determines that received data or the indiciaassociated with the deposit item is incorrect and/or does not correspondwith the authorized user who has accessed the depository, the centralcircuitry will send at least one message including data which isindicative of this discrepancy to the depository.

In the exemplary logic flow as represented at step 188 the wirelesscommunication portal of the depository receives the data indicative ofwhether the deposit item and its receipt into the depository isacceptable. The control circuitry of the exemplary depository thenoperates to provide an indication if the acceptance of the deposit itemis authorized. This is represented by a step 190. In the exemplaryarrangement, the control circuitry of the depository is operative tocause operation of the at least one indicator 32 to provide anindication as to whether the acceptance of the deposit item isauthorized. For example in an exemplary arrangement the indicator may beoperated to provide a green color light output when the deposit item isacceptable and a red color light output when the deposit item is notacceptable. In addition an audio annunciator output or other indicatoroutput may be output by the depository to indicate the acceptability orunacceptability of the deposit. In other arrangements an indication ofthe acceptability of the deposit item may be sent to the user's mobiledevice so as to cause at least one output from an output device thereof.In other arrangements the door of the depository may be spring loaded sothat the door at least partially opens responsive to the deposit itembeing acceptable. Of course these outputs are exemplary and in otherarrangements other types of outputs may be provided.

Further in exemplary arrangements at least one message indicative of adetermination as to the acceptability or unacceptability of the deposititem or the associated circumstances may be sent by the central systemcircuitry to the portable device of the authorized user. Suchinformation may be sent in the form of a text message or other suitableoutput to indicate to the user the acceptability or unacceptability ofthe deposit item or activity. Such approaches may be useful in someexemplary systems for purposes of preventing users from making mistakesin placing incorrect deposit items into depositories. Such features maybe particularly helpful in situations where an authorized user may behandling multiple deposit items, some of which may be intended forplacement in a particular depository while others are not. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approachesmay be used.

In the exemplary arrangement the control circuitry associated with thedepository is operative in a step 192 to evaluate the image datacaptured by the reading devices and/or the weight sensors to make anaction status determination. The action status determination includesevaluating the image data and/or weight data for purposes of determiningwhether the deposit item has been placed in or removed from the interiorarea of the depository. In alternative arrangements the user may beprompted to provide at least one input to their mobile wireless deviceto indicate the deposit item has been placed in the interior area. Thewireless device sends at least one message indicative of the input. Inthis exemplary logic flow the determination of action status by thecontrol circuitry is indicative that the deposit item has been placed inthe depository. After the action status determination that the deposititem has been received, the control circuitry of the depository sensesfor the door of the depository being closed. This is done throughappropriate switches, detectors or the reading devices in operativeconnection with the control circuitry and is represented in a step 194.In some exemplary arrangements the repository control circuitry willcause at least one output device of the depository to provide outputswhich instruct the user to close the depository door in the event thatsuch action is not taken within a calculated time of the deposit itembeing received. In other exemplary arrangements the user's portablewireless device may receive messages from the central circuitry that arecaused to be sent responsive to messages from the depository in theevent that the user is detected as not taking appropriate steps towardsclosure of the door after the deposit item has been deposited in theinterior area.

Once the depository door is in the closed position, the controlcircuitry operates to cause the lock to be changed to the lockedcondition as represented in a step 196. The control circuitry of thedepository then operates to send one or more item received messages tothe central circuitry indicating that the interior area of thedepository has been made accessible responsive at least in part to theitem depositor access code, token data and/or other input data and thedeposit item has been received in the depository as indicated at step198. Responsive to receiving the at least one item received message fromthe depository and/or from the user's mobile wireless device, thecentral circuitry is operative to update the record data stored in itsassociated data store to reflect the status of the deposit item as beingwithin the particular depository as represented at step 200. The centralcircuitry may also operate to determine the remaining available volumeof space in the compartment or interior area in which the deposit itemhas been placed.

The central circuitry then operates to take the actions necessary toarrange for the deposit item to be transported from the originatingdepository into which it has been received, to a depository associatedwith the destination location for the item. In some circumstances thecentral circuitry is enabled to arrange for single authorized user ofthe system to transport the deposit item from the originating depositoryinto which it is received to another depository which is a destinationdepository that corresponds to the delivery item destination, such as afinal destination address for the deposit item. In other arrangementsthe system is operative to arrange for delivery to a recipient addressrather than a depository. However, in many situations the centralcircuitry must arrange for the transport of the deposit item to anintermediate location which corresponds to a destination depositorywhich is only part way to the delivery item destination. This occursbecause the individuals available to transport the deposit item areavailable only to transport the item to the intermediate destination.The central circuitry will then later arrange for a different authorizeduser to transport the item from the intermediate destination to thedepository at the final destination depository for the deposit item. Ofcourse it should be understood while this example indicates that thedeposit item is transported through a destination depository at oneintermediate destination, other exemplary deposit item transportsituations will involve transport through multiple intermediatedestinations. This is particularly true when the transport of thedeposit item is over a long distance. In some exemplary arrangements theincentive payments which the system user arranging for the transport canmake, will help to reduce the number of intermediate depositorydestinations and result in delivery of the deposit item to the finaldestination more quickly.

As represented at step 202 an authorized system user that is willing totransport deposit items may operate their portable wireless device, suchas carrier contact device 92, to indicate their availability totransport deposit items by initiating operation of an application on thedevice. Such system users are alternatively referred to herein as itemcarriers. In the exemplary arrangement the device application requiresthat the user sign onto the carrier contact device and provideappropriate carrier contact device data such as a telephone number oremail address and user identifying information which identifies theparticular user to the central circuitry, as represented at step 204. Inexemplary arrangements the item carrier contact device data and otheruser identifying information as well as credentials such as token datafor the item carrier that may be stored in the user device and in thecentral circuitry, will have been previously established through aregistration process applicable to authorized users. In the exemplaryarrangement the circuit executable instructions associated with theuser's device 92 also require that the user provide location informationsuch as through GPS data associated with the current carrier contactdevice location to the central system circuitry through at least onedriver data message. This is represented at step 206.

In the exemplary system a user may choose to transport deposit itemsbased on planned travel for other purposes. This may include forexample, the user having a daily commute to a job that is substantiallyremote from where they reside. Alternatively user may have plannedtravel for personal or other purposes to a destination, and is willingto transport deposit items in the course of their personal travel.Alternatively a user may be willing to perform transport services ofdeposit items to any local location to receive compensation for thetransport services. As represented in step 208 the user inputs to thecarrier contact device their available delivery location such as, forexample destination information related to their current travel plans,or if the user is willing to travel to any location within a setdistance range for purposes of making deliveries of deposit items. Insome arrangements the user may also indicate that they have specializedcapabilities such as handling fragile or perishable items, handlinglarge and/or heavy items, and/or may be bonded or insured for handlinghigh value or legally controlled items. As represented at step 210 thecontrol circuitry associated with the user's portable wireless carriercontact device is operative to send the data regarding the availableitem carrier transport user in at least one driver data message to thecentral circuitry for purposes of determining if the item carrier userwill receive transport job assignments which will result in compensationbeing paid to the user.

As represented at step 212 the central circuitry receives the data fromthe item carrier contract device and conducts an analysis of thereceived data as represented at step 214. The central circuitry is alsooperative to recover the stored data regarding the rating informationassociated with the user as represented in step 216. The centralcircuitry is then operative to compare the data associated with theavailable transport user received in driver data messages to the dataassociated with available transport jobs that need to be conducted. Thisis represented at step 218. Of course as can be appreciated, thisactivity is carried out by the central circuitry for each authorizeditem carrier transport user that indicates availability to participatein providing transport services for deposit items at the current time.The central circuitry is enabled to match available authorized itemcarriers with transport jobs in a manner that causes the deposit itemsto be moved to either a respective final delivery address, a finaldelivery depository destination of the deposit item, or an intermediatedelivery depository location at a depository that causes the deposititem to move closer to its final delivery destination.

As represented in step 220 the central circuitry operates to match theauthorized transport item carrier current location and the associateditem carrier available delivery location data to originating depository,destination depository and deposit item delivery requirements. Thecentral circuitry is then operative to determine the destinationdepository which is the endpoint destination for the available itemcarrier as represented in step 222. In other arrangements the end pointfor the delivery may be the address of the recipient. In this particularexample the endpoint destination for the initial item carrier is anintermediate destination depository that is not the final destinationfor the particular deposit item. The central circuitry is then operativeto calculate the rate information for the transport user as representedin step 224. In an exemplary arrangement this calculation reflects anamount that the item carrier will receive for taking the deposit itemfrom the current depository in which it is located, transporting it tothe designated intermediate destination depository, and placing thedeposit item in the intermediate destination depository for subsequenttransport towards its final destination. In some exemplary arrangementsthe central circuitry may operate to determine multiple parcels that canbe transported together by the item carrier as a bundle to adestination.

As represented in step 226 the central circuitry operates to send one ormore opportunity messages to the carrier contact device which is theportable wireless device of the item carrier. The messages include theoriginating depository for pickup, parcel route for transport of thedeposit item (or a bundle of items), end point destination depository(or end point delivery address) and monetary rate to be paid to the itemcarrier for transport of the deposit item. The messages may also providean indication of the size and weight of the deposit items. The exemplarymessages may also include data to indicate to the item carrier how farthe transport job will require the item carrier to go off theircurrently indicated planned travel route to the input destination at theoriginating depository and/or at the destination depository. Inoperation of the exemplary system the carrier contact device receivesthe data regarding the transport assignment in at least one opportunitymessage as represented at a step 226. The control circuitry of thecarrier contact device is then operative responsive to the received datain the at least one opportunity message to provide one or more outputsto the item carrier user indicative of the available transportassignment. The output data is then available for review by the itemcarrier user as represented at step 228. If the item carrier user findsthe transport assignment details to be acceptable, the user operates thecarrier contact device to provide one or more inputs as represented atstep 230 which indicates that the user accepts the transport assignment.The carrier contact device then operates in accordance with itsprogramming to send one or more item transport acceptance messages tothe central circuitry as represented at step 232, indicative of the useracceptance and willingness to transport the delivery item from thedelivery depository to the destination depository (or other end pointlocation) in accordance with any other conditions specified in the atleast one opportunity message.

The central circuitry receives the at least one item transportacceptance message data from the user's carrier contact deviceindicating acceptance of the transport assignment as represented at step234. The central circuitry then operates to reserve the transportassignment for the item carrier as represented at a step 236. In theexemplary embodiment the central circuitry operates in accordance withits programming to reserve the transport assignment for the particularitem carrier user only for a limited period of time. This helps toassure that the deposit item is transported in a commercially promptmanner. In the event that the item carrier to which the transportassignment has been reserved does not act to obtain the deposit itemfrom the depository within the time period for which the transportassignment has been reserved, the central circuitry operates inaccordance with its programming to reassign the transport assignment toa different designated authorized item carrier. As can be appreciatedsuch a reassignment would generally require analysis of availabletransport carrier information and may change the route or otherinformation to which the deposit item is next transported. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approachesto be used.

Also in an exemplary embodiment a transport item carrier may sendtransport acceptance messages to accept a plurality of opportunitymessages corresponding to transport assignments associated with the itemcarrier's planned or available delivery location travel. This mayinclude a plurality of different deposit items, each of which may have arespective different pickup originating depository or shipment locationand delivery destination depository or delivery location. Thecommunication between the user device and the central circuitry enablesstoring the data related to each deposit item and transport job on theuser carrier contact device to facilitate the activities that the itemcarrier is to perform in a proper manner and sequence.

In the exemplary arrangement once the transport assignment has beenreserved for the authorized transport user by the central circuitryresponsive to the at least one item transport acceptance message, thecentral circuitry operates in a step 238 to generate the one-timedesignated carrier access code that will enable the authorized user toaccess the originating depository in which the deposit item is currentlylocated. At step 240 the central circuitry then operates to send the atleast one transport assignment message to the carrier contact device.The at least one transport assignment message includes datacorresponding to one-time designated carrier access code and locationdata for the originating depository to the item carrier. The user'scarrier contact device operates to receive the data such as in the atleast one transport assignment message represented at step 242. Theexemplary central circuitry is operative to correlate the stored datacorresponding to at least two of the item carrier identifyinginformation, the delivery item identifier, and the depository from whichthe item carrier will receive the item and/or a respective interior areathereof, in the at least one data store such that they are stored incorrelated relation. The exemplary central circuitry is furtheroperative to store in correlated relation the stored data regarding theone time carrier access code and at least one of the item carrieridentifying information, the delivery item identifier, and thedepository/interior area in which the delivery item is housed. Thecontact device then operates in accordance with its programming to guidethe item carrier such as through the use of GPS data, to the originatingdepository location at which the deposit item is to be picked up.

Once the item carrier has arrived at the originating depository, thecarrier contact device is operated by the item carrier to wirelesslysend their user identifying information from the carrier contract deviceto the at least one input device of the depository. In the exemplaryarrangement as represented at step 244, the user's wireless token datais sent from the carrier contact device of the user item carrier to theRF input device such as the wireless portal associated with thedepository. The control circuitry of the depository is operative toreceive user identifying data as represented at step 246, and is alsooperative to enable the keypad of the depository to receive an inputaccess code which may correspond to the one-time design carrier accesscode as represented at step 248. In other arrangements the designatedcarrier access code may be received through other input devices of thedepository, such as for example, the wireless portal. The controlcircuitry is then operative responsive at least in part to receipt ofthe input access code to send at least one repository access requestmessage as represented at step 250. The at least one repository accessrequest message includes data corresponding to the user identificationdata, the input access code value and depository identifying data to thecentral circuitry. The central circuitry operates to receive the data inthe at least one repository access request message from the depositoryas represented at step 252 and makes an authorized access determinationresponsive to verifying based on the stored data that the useridentifying data corresponds to the authorized user who is to receivethe deposit item, and that the input access code value corresponds tothe designated access code appropriate for accessing the depository. Insome arrangements the central circuitry is also operative to carry outthe authorized access determination responsive to the identifying datafor the depository receiving the input access code value and/or the useridentification data corresponding to the origination depository for thetransport of the deposit item. The authorized access determination isrepresented by step 254.

Responsive to the authorized access determination that the useridentifying data and the one-time designated access code received at theoriginating depository is appropriate for accessing the deposit item,the central circuitry then is operative to send at least one repositoryaccess approval message to the originating depository as represented atstep 256 to enable the interior area holding the deposit item in thedepository to be accessed. As represented step 258 the control circuitryof the originating depository is operative to receive and verify thegenuineness of the message data from the central circuitry. Responsiveat least in part to receipt and verification of the at least onedepository access approval message, the control circuitry is operativeto cause the lock to be changed to the unlocked condition as representedat step 260. The deposit item in the interior area of the depositorythereby becomes accessible to the item carrier. The exemplary controlcircuitry associated with the originating depository is then operativeto detect the opening of the door and to operate the sensors comprisingreading devices to capture the indicia such as machine readable bar codefor example, included on the deposit item that is removed from theinterior area of the depository as represented by step 262.Alternatively in some arrangements the item carrier may capture an imageof the item identifying indicia using their portable wireless device.The exemplary control circuitry is also operative to capture a pluralityof images including the user and the deposit item, and to store theimage data along with time data in the data store associated with thedepository control circuitry. The weight sensor is also operative toindicate the change in weight associated with the removed item. This isrepresented by step 264.

The exemplary control circuitry and/or portable wireless device is thenoperative to send at least one parcel removal message to the centralsystem circuitry, at step 266. The at least one parcel removal messageincludes parcel removal data corresponding to the identifying indiciaread by the at least one sensor from the deposit item and the weightdata. In other exemplary arrangements the parcel removal data mayinclude other data that can be detected or read by one or morereaders/sensors of the originating depository and/or through operationof the item carrier's portable wireless device. The central circuitryreceives the parcel removal data in the at least one parcel removalmessage at step 268 and is operative at step 270 to verify that theparcel removal data corresponding to the read indicia corresponds to thedeposit item identifying data for the delivery item that is to be takenby the identified item carrier that has accessed the depository based onthe correlated stored data. The central circuitry may also verify thatthe weight removed and/or the size and/or other property of the itemremoved corresponds to removal of the proper delivery item. The centralcircuitry then operates at step 272 to send one or more correct parcelremoval messages to the originating depository, that indicate that thedeposit item identification indicia and user indicia is appropriate.Alternatively or in addition the at least one correct parcel removalmessages may be sent to the carrier contact device. The controlcircuitry of the depository may receive the message data from thecentral circuitry as represented at step 274 and is operative to providean indication to the user that the removal activity is appropriate asrepresented at step 276. As previously discussed this indication may begiven through visual and/or audible indication output by one or moreoutput devices such as indicators on the depository. Alternatively suchindications may be provided as outputs from the carrier contact device.Of course if the deposit item removal activity or user data is notappropriate, then negative indication outputs are provided eitherthrough the depository indicators and/or through messages that are sentby the central circuitry to the user's portable wireless carrier contactdevice.

The control circuitry of the exemplary originating depository is thenoperative responsive to the captured image data from the sensors such asreading devices, and/or the detected change in weight, to make adetermination of the action status that has been carried out by the itemcarrier with regard to the identified deposit item. Alternatively or inaddition the determination may be carried out responsive at least inpart to a wireless message from the carrier contact device responsive toan input from the user indicating that they have removed the parcel.This determination which is represented by step 278, is an actiondetermination that the deposit item has been removed from the interiorarea of the depository. The control circuitry associated with theoriginating depository then senses for detection that the depositorydoor has been closed as represented in step 280. As previously discussedthe control circuitry of the depository either alone or throughcommunication with the central circuitry, may operate to prompt the userto close the depository door in the event that closure is not detectedwithin a programmed time. The control circuitry then operates to causethe lock to be changed to the locked condition once the door is closedas represented by step 282. The control circuitry then operates to sendone or more delivery item parcel removal messages to the centralcircuitry indicating that the deposit item has been removed and takenfrom the depository by the item carrier as represented by step 284. Ascan be appreciated this process may be carried out for multiple parcelsthat are to be transported by the item carrier.

Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the one or more deliveryitem parcel removal messages from the depository and/or the carriercontact device that the deposit item has been taken by the item carrier,the exemplary central circuitry operates as indicated at step 286 toupdate the status data for the deposit item in the associated data storeto indicate that the deposit item is with the authorized item carrier.In some exemplary arrangements the central circuitry then operates tocause at least one pick up request confirmation message to be sent tothe portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier who hastaken the deposit item to confirm that they have the item. This isrepresented by step 288. The portable wireless carrier contact device ofthe item carrier operates in accordance with its programming to causeone or more outputs that prompt the item carrier to confirm that theyhave received possession of the deposit item. This is represented atstep 290. As represented at step 292, the user's portable wirelesscarrier contact device operates responsive to at least one confirmationinput from the item carrier to send one or more wireless delivery itempossession confirmation messages to the central circuitry to confirmthat the user received possession the deposit item. Of course it shouldbe understood that in other exemplary arrangements the central systemcircuitry may omit the confirmation steps 286 through 292. This isparticularly true in situations where the user indicates that they havethe item by providing an input to their carrier contact deviceindicating they have taken the item and/or the user scans the parcelidentifying indicia using the camera on the device, which results inwireless messages to the central system circuitry.

Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the delivery itempossession confirmation messages from the user's portable wirelesscarrier contact device at step 294, or in some arrangements moredirectly responsive to one or more parcel removal messages, the centralcircuitry operates to recover from memory or otherwise resolve thedestination depository for the item carrier to deliver the deposit item.This is represented at step 296. The exemplary central circuitry furtheroperates to generate a one-time access delivery code to be input by theitem carrier to the destination depository into which the item carrieris to place the deposit item. This is represented by step 298. Theexemplary central system circuitry is further operative to store incorrelated relation the data corresponding to at least two of thedelivery item identifier, the item carrier identifying information, theone time access code, and the depository/interior area into which thedelivery item is to be placed. The exemplary central circuitry is nextoperative to send at least one item transport delivery message includingdata corresponding to the one-time item carrier access code and thelocation information for the destination depository to the user'sportable wireless carrier contact device. This is represented by step300. The exemplary central circuitry continues to monitor the locationof the portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrierthrough GPS as the deposit item is transported toward the destinationdepository. This is represented by step 302.

As represented by step 304, in the exemplary system the portablewireless device of the transport user is operative to receive in the atleast one item transport delivery message the data regarding thedepository location and the one-time item carrier access delivery code.The portable wireless carrier contact device operates in accordance withits programming to direct the item carrier through use of the GPS dataor other location data to the destination depository or other locationat which the deposit item is to be deposited. This is represented bystep 306. Upon arrival at the destination depository the item carrieroperates their portable wireless device to cause the user identifyingdata including the user ID token to be sent from the user's device tothe RF input device of the depository. This is represented by step 308.

The control circuitry associated with the destination depository isoperative to receive the wireless user identifying information asrepresented by step 310. The control circuitry is also operative toenable receipt through the keypad or in some arrangements the wirelessportal of the destination depository, of the input access code valuecorresponding to the one-time item carrier access delivery code from theitem carrier. This is represented by step 312. The control circuitryassociated with the destination depository is operative to send thereceived user identifying data, the input access code value, anddepository identifying data to the central circuitry in at least onerepository access message as represented by step 314. The exemplarycentral circuitry is operative to receive the data in the at least onerepository access message as represented by step 316, and operates toverify that the received user data corresponds to the item carrier andthat the input access code value corresponds to the one-time itemcarrier access delivery code as represented in step 318. The exemplarycentral circuitry is then operative to send at least one repositoryaccess approval message to the depository which includes data indicativethat the received user data and the code data are appropriate based onthe corrected stored data, and that the central system circuitrydetermined interior area of the destination depository should beunlocked so as to make the designated interior area of the destinationrepository accessible. This is represented by step 320.

The control circuitry of the exemplary destination depository isoperative to receive the repository access approval message data fromthe central circuitry as represented by step 322. Responsive to the atleast one repository message from the central circuitry being receivedand verified, the control circuitry associated with the destinationdepository is operative to cause the lock thereof to be changed to theunlocked condition as represented in step 324. As a result thedesignated interior area of the destination repository is externallyaccessible so that the delivery item may be placed therein by the itemcarrier. Responsive to detecting that the depository door has beenopened, the exemplary control circuitry is operative to cause thereading devices to capture the machine readable indicia including theidentifying indicia on the deposit item being placed in the designatedinterior area of the destination depository as represented by step 326.Alternatively the item carrier may use their portable wireless device tocapture an image of the parcel identifying indicia and/or the depositoryto document placement of the item. The control circuitry is alsooperative to cause images from the reading devices and the change inweight detected by the at least one weight sensor to be captured andstored in the at least one data store along with the data correspondingto the captured identifying indicia on the deposit item, to document theaccessing of the depository and the placement of the deposit itemtherein. This is represented by step 328.

The exemplary control circuitry associated with the destinationdepository is next operative to send at least one parcel insertionmessage which is alternatively referred to herein as a parcel placementmessage, to the central system circuitry as represented in step 330. Theexemplary at least one parcel insertion message includes datacorresponding to the indicia read and/or sensed from the deposit itemincluding the machine readable indicia. Alternatively in somearrangements the parcel insertion message may be sent by the carriercontact device responsive to using the device to read the parcelidentifier and receiving at least one input indicative of placement inthe depository. The central circuitry receives the data included in theat least one parcel insertion message at step 332 and verifies that theindicia read and/or sensed from the deposit item (size, weight or otherinformation or properties) corresponds to the correlated stored data fordeposit item to be deposited in the destination depository. Thisincludes verifying that the read machine readable indicia read from thedeposit item placed in the destination depository corresponds to thedelivery item identifier. The central circuitry also verifies that theidentifying data associated with the user corresponds to the user thatis authorized to place the delivery item into the depository. This isrepresented by step 334. The central circuitry is then operative to sendone or more correct parcel placement verification messages to thecontrol circuitry of the destination depository to indicate that thereceived identifying indicia on the deposit item is correct.Alternatively or in addition the at least one correct parcelverification message may be sent to the carrier contact device. This isrepresented by step 336. The exemplary control circuitry of thedepository receives the at least one correct parcel placementverification messages from the central circuitry as represented in step338 and provides one or more outputs to the user to indicate that theindicia read and/or sensed from the deposit item is appropriate asrepresented in step 340. The at least one output may be provided by atleast one output device of the destination depository and/or through anoutput device of the carrier contact device. The exemplary controlcircuitry associated with the depository may then be operative toanalyze the captured image data and/or weight data to determine theaction status associated with the deposit item. As represented in step342 the control circuitry is operative to determine an action statusthat the deposit item has been received into the interior area of thedepository.

In other exemplary arrangements the control circuitry associated withthe depository may operate in an alternative manner to provide theauthorized user with access to the interior area so that the deposititem may be placed therein. In such alternative arrangements the controlcircuitry may operate to receive the user identifying data wirelesslyfrom the mobile wireless device associated with the user in a mannerlike that previously discussed. This may be done for example through awireless input device such as a wireless transceiver in operativeconnection with the control circuitry that is operative to controlaccess to the depository. Further in this alternative arrangement, acamera of the portable wireless device associated with the item carriermay be utilized as the reading device which is operative to read theitem identifying indicia on the deposit item. The mobile carrier contactdevice may then operate to wirelessly communicate the item identifyingindicia to the control circuitry. This may be done through the same or adifferent wireless communication path as the user identifyinginformation. The control circuitry may then operate in accordance withits circuit executable instructions to make a determination based on thecorrelated stored data that the user identifying information correspondsto an authorized user, as well as a determination that the read itemindicia corresponds to a deposit item that is authorized to be placedwithin the depository. The control circuitry may then operate inaccordance with its programmed circuit executable instructions to causethe corresponding lock associated with the depository door to bechangeable to the unlocked condition responsive at least in part to theuser identification determination, the determination that the deposititem indicia corresponds to previously stored data indicative that theitem is authorized to be placed in the respective interior area of thedepository, or both. Further in some alternative exemplary arrangements,the control circuitry may operate responsive at least in part to theread item identifying indicia, which may include additional informationabout the item, to operate to cause the corresponding lock to be able tobe placed in the unlocked condition. For example in some exemplaryarrangements the item indicia included on the deposit item maycorrespond to a destination repository or a location in which thedeposit item is to be delivered. In some exemplary arrangements thecontrol circuitry may operate to determine if the item indicia includesdata corresponding to the GPS determined location and/or identifyinginformation for the depository in which the item is sought to bepositioned. Responsive at least in part to the determination, thecontrol circuitry is operative to enable the depository lock associatedwith the interior area in which the item is authorized to be placed, tobe changeable to the unlocked condition. Further although in theexemplary arrangements the data regarding item carrier contactinformation and/or one-time access code, the delivery item identifier orother information may be received from a carrier contact device throughan input device such as a wireless portal that is located at theparticular depository, in other arrangements such information may bereceived through at least one wireless transceiver located remotely fromthe depository. For example, in such arrangements location data, such asGPS data associated with the location of the carrier contact device, maybe provided to the central system circuitry in the messages from thecarrier contact device. Such location data may be usable by the centralsystem circuitry to determine that the carrier contact device is inproximity to a particular depository. Thus in such alternativearrangements it is not necessary for the local circuitry associated withthe particular depository to receive the messages from the carriercontact device for purposes of assuring that the carrier contact deviceis in proximity to the depository and the item carrier is positioned toplace the delivery item in or remove the delivery item from thedepository. Of course it should be understood that these approaches areexemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

The exemplary control circuitry then operates in accordance with itsprogramming after the deposit item is placed in the interior area tosense for closure of the depository door. This is represented by step344. As previously discussed the exemplary control circuitry may providedifferent forms of prompts to the user in the event that the depositorydoor is not sensed as closed within a programmed time. Responsive todetecting the closure of the depository door the control circuitry ofthe destination repository operates to change the condition of the lockto the locked condition as represented by step 346. The exemplarycontrol circuitry is then operative to send one or more deliverycompletion messages from the depository to the central system circuitryto indicate that the deposit item is within the designated interior areaof the depository as represented by step 348. Alternatively or inaddition a delivery completion message may be sent by the carriercontact device responsive to at least one input thereto by the itemcarrier. The exemplary central circuitry responsive to receiving thedelivery completion messages, operates to update the status related tothe deposit item in its associated data store to indicate that thedeposit item is located within the particular destination depository.This is represented by step 350.

In situations where the delivery completion message is not sent from thecarrier contact device, the exemplary central circuitry is nextoperative to send one or more delivery confirmation request messages tothe portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrierrequesting confirmation that the deposit item has been placed in thedestination depository. This is represented by step 352. The portablewireless carrier contact device of the item carrier operates responsiveto the received messages to provide outputs which prompt the user toconfirm the placement of the deposit item in the destination depository.This is represented by step 354. Responsive to receipt of at least oneinput from the item carrier the portable wireless carrier contact deviceis operative at step 356 to provide one or more delivery confirmationresponse messages to the central circuitry confirming that the user hasplaced the deposit item in the interior area of the destinationdepository. In other exemplary arrangements the confirmation steps 352through 356 are not carried out.

The central circuitry of the exemplary embodiment is operativeresponsive to at least in part receipt of the delivery confirmationresponse messages from the transport user at step 358 or more directlyresponsive at least in part to the at least one delivery completionmessage, to determine that the item carrier has completed the transportassignment and to calculate a payment that is due to the item carrier asrepresented at step 360. The exemplary central circuitry is thenoperative to credit the item carrier for a payment amount correspondingto the payment that is due as represented at step 362. This may includecrediting an account associated with the item carrier for the amountpayable. Alternatively it may include a financial transfer to an accountassociated with the item carrier. Various payment forms may beaccomplished depending on the arrangement that has been set up by thecentral system circuitry for making payment to the particular itemcarrier. The exemplary central circuitry then operates to send one ormore messages to the carrier contact device of the item carrierindicating the payment as represented at step 364. The item carrierreceives the notice of the payment through the portable wireless carriercontact device which outputs appropriate messages to the item carrieruser as represented at step 366. Of course it should be understood thatthese steps are representative of only some exemplary paymenttransactions that may be carried out responsive to operation of thecentral circuitry.

In this example the initial item carrier was available only to transportthe deposit item to a destination depository at an intermediatedestination, and not to the final destination depository for the deposititem. Therefore responsive to the determination that the deposit itemhas arrived at the intermediate destination depository, the exemplarycentral circuitry is operative to determine a next destinationdepository for the deposit item. This is represented by step 368. Aspreviously discussed the central circuitry will try to have the deposititem reach its final destination depository with a minimum number ofintermediate destinations. However if it is not possible with theavailable item carriers to move the deposit item to its finaldestination with the next transport assignment, the exemplary controlcircuitry will cause the deposit item to be moved to anotherintermediate destination depository that is closer to its finaldestination. However for purposes of this example the next transportassignment will result in the deposit item reaching its finaldestination depository. Of course it should be understood that in otherarrangements delivery may be made to a recipient's address rather thanto a destination repository.

The exemplary central circuitry conducts a similar analysis to thatpreviously discussed with regard to available item carriers for purposesof determining the next transport assignment which can be made for thedeposit item. The central circuitry conducts an analysis of theavailable item carrier information at step 370. The central circuitryalso reviews the rating data and other information for the availableitem carriers as represented at step 372. As represented at step 374 acomparative analysis is done of the available item carrier data topending transport jobs to produce a match as represented at step 376.The exemplary central circuitry will then operate to determine thedestination depository endpoint (or delivery location endpoint) for thedeposit item delivery to be made by the available item carrier asrepresented at step 378. In this example the next destination will bethe destination depository which is the final delivery destination forthe deposit item.

The exemplary central circuitry is further operative to calculate therate information to be paid for the transport by the available itemcarrier. This is represented at step 380. In some exemplary arrangementsthe central circuitry may operate to provide item carriers withincentives to transport particular deposit items. For example, if anitem is not moving toward the final destination at an acceptable rate,the central circuitry may offer a premium to an available item carrierto transport the item. Of course this approach is exemplary.

The exemplary central circuitry is then operative at step 382 to sendone or more opportunity messages to the portable wireless carriercontact device of the selected item carrier which describes thetransport job that is available. In the exemplary arrangement the dataincluded in the at least one opportunity message includes informationregarding the pickup originating depository, deposit item parcel,transport route, endpoint destination depository and monetary amount orrate to be paid to the available item carrier. Of course in some casesadditional or different information may be provided. Further in somearrangements an item carrier may be offered an opportunity to transportmultiple parcels to the same destination or to multiple destinationsalong a common route. The portable wireless carrier contact device ofthe item carrier receives the at least one opportunity message asrepresented by step 384. The portable wireless carrier contact device ofthe item carrier operates responsive at least in part to the receiveddata included in the at least one opportunity message to provide atleast one an output which indicates the details of the availabletransport job which the item carrier can then review as represented atstep 386. If the item carrier wishes to accept the transport job, theitem carrier provides one or more inputs to their portable wirelesscarrier contact device as represented at step 388, and the carriercontact device operates to send one or more item transport acceptancemessages indicating a willingness to accept the transport job asrepresented at step 390.

As represented by step 392 the central circuitry operates to receive theitem transport acceptance messages including data indicating that theitem carrier is willing to perform the transport job, and reserves thetransport assignment for the item carrier as represented at step 394.The central circuitry operates to generate one-time designated carrieraccess code for the item carrier as represented at step 396. The centralsystem circuitry operates to store the correlated data corresponding toat least two of the authorized user identifying data for the user whohas accepted the item transport assignment, the delivery itemidentifying data, the one time access code, and the interiorarea/depository where the item will be placed in a manner like thatpreviously discussed. The central circuitry operates to send at leastone transport assignment message including data corresponding to theone-time designated carrier access code and the location data for theoriginating depository to the user's portable wireless carrier contactdevice as represented by step 398.

The portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrierreceives the access code and location information in the at least onetransport assignment message as represented by step 400. The portablewireless carrier contact device operates in accordance with itsprogramming and the originating depository location information to guidethe user to the depository as represented by step 402. As in theprevious example the carrier contact device may be tracked via GPS, cellphone data or other methodology. Once arriving at the depository theitem carrier operates the portable wireless carrier contact device tosend the wireless identifying information such as the ID token data thatidentifies the item carrier, to the RF input device of the originatingdepository as represented by step 404. The control circuitry of thedepository receives the item carrier user identifying information asrepresented at step 406. The circuitry associated with the originatingdepository also receives an input access code that may correspond to theone-time designated carrier access code from the item carrier asrepresented by step 408. The depository control circuitry is thenoperative to send at least one depository access request messageincluding data corresponding to the user identifying information, theone-time designated carrier code and the depository identifyinginformation, to the central circuitry as represented by step 410.

The central circuitry receives the data included in the at least onedepository access request message from the depository at step 412 andoperates using the stored data to verify the user identifyinginformation corresponding to the authorized item carrier and that theinput access code corresponds to the one-time designated carrier accesscode as represented at step 414. The central circuitry is operative tosend one or more depository access approval messages to the depositoryindicating that the received item carrier identifying information anddesignated carrier access code is appropriate for accessing the interiorarea of the originating depository. This is represented by step 416. Thecontrol circuitry associated with the depository receives the at leastone depository access approval message from the central circuitryindicating that the depository is to be opened and verifies theauthenticity of the message as represented at step 418. The controlcircuitry associated with the depository is operative responsive atleast in part to the at least one depository access approval message tocause the lock controlling access to the interior area or compartmentspace where the deposit item is housed to be enabled to be changed tothe unlocked condition as represented at step 420. The control circuitryis further operative to operate at least one sensor to sense and/orcapture the machine readable deposit item identifying indicia on thedeposit item, image and/or size or other property data and the change indetected weight as the item is removed from the interior area of theoriginating depository as represented by step 422. Alternatively theitem carrier may operate their portable wireless device to capture oneor more images of the item identifying indicia and the device sends theimage data and/or parcel identifying indicia to the central circuitry.The exemplary control circuitry also captures and stores imagesassociated with accessing the depository including the item carrier userand the removal of the deposit item as represented by step 424. Thecontrol circuitry also associates time data with the captured images.The control circuitry is then operative to send at least one parcelremoval message including data corresponding to the deposit identifyingindicia, size, other property data and/or weight information to thecentral circuitry as represented by step 426. Alternatively or inaddition one or more parcel removal messages may be sent by the carriercontact device.

The central circuitry is operative to receive the data included in theat least one parcel removal message as represented by step 428 andverify that the indicia read from the deposit item, size property dataand/or weight data corresponds to the deposit item to be taken by theuser whose identifying data has been received as represented at step430. This may include verifying that machine readable indicia read fromthe deposit item corresponds to the deposit item identifier. The centralcircuitry is then operative to send one or more correct parcelverification messages to the depository indicating that the informationreceived related to the deposit item and the user is correct.Alternatively or in addition the one or more correct parcel verificationmessages may be sent to the carrier contact device. This is representedby step 432.

The depository is operative to receive the data included in the at leastone correct parcel verification messages from the central circuitry asrepresented by step 434 and to provide an indication to the user from anoutput device that the identifying indicia for the deposit item beingremoved is correct as represented at step 436. Alternatively or inaddition the central circuitry may operate to send the confirmationmessage to the item carrier's portable wireless device. Of course aspreviously discussed, if the indicia, size, property and/or weightassociated with the deposit item and/or the user data is incorrect, awarning indication is output from an output device of the depositoryand/or the user's portable wireless carrier contact device to indicatethe error. The control circuitry associated with the exemplarydepository is then operative to determine from the sensors of theoriginating repository which comprise reading devices and/or messagesfrom the carrier contact device, the action status associated with thedeposit item. In this case the action status corresponds to the deposititem being removed as indicated at step 438. The exemplary controlcircuitry of the depository then operates to sense the closure of thedepository door as represented by step 440 and to change the conditionof the lock to the locked condition as represented at step 442. Thedepository control circuitry is then operative to send one or moredelivery item parcel removal messages to the central circuitry which areindicative of and give a notification that the deposit item has beentaken as represented by step 444.

The exemplary central circuitry is then operative to update data in atleast one data store to update the status of the deposit item toindicate that the deposit is with the item carrier as represented bystep 446. In some arrangements the central circuitry may also cause oneor more confirmation request messages to be sent to the transport user'sportable wireless carrier contact device requesting confirmation thatthe item carrier has possession of the deposit item. This is representedby step 448. The portable wireless device of the transport user operatesto receive these confirmation request messages and to provide outputs tothe item carrier indicating the request for confirmation. This isrepresented by step 450. Responsive to the item carrier providing inputswhich confirm the item carrier has possession of the deposit item, theportable wireless carrier contact device sends one or more confirmationresponse messages to the central circuitry confirming possession of thedeposit item by the user. This is represented by step 452.

Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the at least oneconfirmation response message from the item carrier's portable wirelesscarrier contract device at step 454 and/or the parcel removal messages,the central circuitry is operative to recover data corresponding to thedestination depository for the deposit item at step 456 and to generatethe one-time item carrier access delivery code usable by the itemcarrier to access the depository at the destination as represented atstep 458. The central circuitry is then operative to send at least oneitem transport delivery message including data corresponding to theone-time code and the location of the destination depository to thecarrier contact device at step 460. The central system circuitry furtheroperates to store the correlated data corresponding to at least two ofthe authorized item carrier identifying information, the one time accesscode, the deposit item identifying data, and the interiorarea/destination repository data in the at least one data store.

The portable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrierreceives the data including the one-time code and the depositorylocation in the at least item transport delivery message at step 462.The user operates the portable wireless carrier contact device to beguided to the destination depository through GPS or other locationfinding methods as represented by step 464. The central circuitry of theexemplary arrangement tracks the item carrier through GPS tracking asrepresented by step 466. Upon arrival at the destination depository theitem carrier operates their portable wireless carrier contact device toprovide their user identification data such as the ID token to the RFinput device of the depository as represented at step 468. The controlcircuitry is operative to receive the user identifying data asrepresented at step 470. The keypad or the wireless portal of thedepository is also operative to receive an input access codecorresponding to the one-time item carrier access delivery code from theitem carrier as represented at step 472. The control circuitry of thedepository is operative to send data corresponding to the useridentifying data, the input access code corresponding to the one-timeitem carrier access delivery code and depository identifying data to thecentral circuitry in at least one depository access request message asrepresented at step 474.

The central circuitry receives the data included in the at least onedeposit access request message from the destination depository asrepresented at step 476 and operates using the stored data to verify theuser identifying data and the input access code as corresponding to theone-time item carrier access delivery code as authorized at step 478.The central circuitry is operative to send one or more access approvalmessages to the depository indicating that the received data isappropriate as represented by step 480, and the control circuitry of thedepository is operative to verify the received message data at step 482.Responsive to the received at least one access approval messageindicating that the user data and the code data is authorized, thecontrol circuitry of the depository is operative to cause the lockcontrolling access to the interior area or compartment space where thecentral system circuitry has determined the deposit item should beplaced to be changed to the unlocked condition as represented by step484. The control circuitry operates the sensors comprising readingdevices to capture the indicia on the deposit item, size, propertyand/or weight data for the deposit item that is being placed in theinterior area of the destination depository as represented by step 486.Alternatively the item carrier may capture the item indicia of theparcel placed in the interior area and send such images and/or datacorresponding to the indicia to the central circuitry. The controlcircuitry also operates the sensors comprising reading devices tocapture images including the item carrier access to the depository andthe placement of the deposit item therein, and to store the image dataalong with associated time data in the data store of the controlcircuitry. This is represented by step 488.

The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative tosend at least one parcel placement message including data correspondingto the indicia read and/or sensed from the deposit item to the centralcircuitry as represented by step 490. Alternatively or in addition atleast one parcel placement message may be sent by the carrier contactdevice. The central circuitry receives the identifying indicia at step492 and is operative in a step 494 to verify that the identifyingindicia, size, property and/or weight information corresponds to theappropriate deposit item and that the user identifying data correspondsto the appropriate user. The exemplary central circuitry is alsooperative to verify that the read machine readable indicia from thedeposit item corresponds to the delivery item identifier. The centralcircuitry is operative to send one or more messages verifying thecorrectness of the input data and deposit item as represented at step496. The at least one correct parcel verification messages mayalternatively or in addition be sent to the carrier contact device. Thecontrol circuitry of the depository receives the one or more messages asrepresented by step 498 and provides one or more outputs through theindicators or other output devices of the depository that the depositinformation is correct as represented by step 500.

The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative todetermine the action status of the deposit item from the data capturedby the reading devices. As represented in step 502 the action statusdetermination indicates that the deposit item has been received into thedepository. The control circuitry operates to sense the closing of thedepository door in a step 504, and responsive to sensing the doorclosure changes the lock to the locked condition as represented by step506. The control circuitry of the depository then operates to send oneor more deposit item received messages to the central circuitry toindicate that the deposit item is located within the depository. This isrepresented by step 508. Responsive to receiving the messages indicatingthat the deposit item is within the depository the central circuitry isoperative to update the stored record data regarding the deposit item inthe data store to indicate that the deposit item is within theparticular destination depository as represented by step 510.

In some arrangements, the exemplary central circuitry then operates tocause one or more confirmation request messages to be sent to theportable wireless carrier contact device of the item carrier requestingconfirmation that the deposit item has been placed in the depository.This is represented by step 512. The portable wireless carrier contactdevice of the item carrier receives the messages and provides outputs tothe user indicating the request for confirmation. This is represented bystep 514. Responsive to inputs by the user to their portable wirelesscarrier contact device confirming the placement of the deposit item inthe depository, the portable wireless carrier contact device isoperative to send one or more delivery confirmation response messages asrepresented at step 516.

Responsive to the central circuitry receiving the at least one deliveryconfirmation message that the deposit item has been placed in thedepository at step 518, the central circuitry is operative to calculatethe payment that is due the item carrier for transport of the depositoryitem. This is represented by step 520. The central circuitry is thenoperative to credit the transport user a payment amount for thetransport services provided as represented at step 522. One or moremessages are sent to the carrier contact device at step 524 which arereceived by the user's portable wireless carrier contact device andwhich provide outputs to the item carrier indicating the payment madefor the transport of the deposit item as represented at step 526.

Responsive to the determination by the central circuitry that thedeposit item has been delivered to the indicated final destinationdepository, the central circuitry is then operative to determine thedeposit item recipient to be notified of the delivery. The recipientdata including recipient contact data may be included in the at leastone transport request message associated with the receipt of the deposititem. Alternatively in some arrangements the delivery item deliverylocation data may correspond to recipient data. The recipient data forregistered users including contact data for the user's device may bestored in a data store in operative connection with the central systemcircuitry. The determination of the recipient data is represented bystep 528. In exemplary arrangements the recipient of the deposit itemmay be the owner of the depository into which the deposit item has beenplaced as the final destination. Alternatively the recipient to benotified may be a registered user of the system that is not the owner ofthe depository in which the item has been placed, which necessitatesnotification and providing access for the intended recipient.

An example where the recipient of the deposit item is the owner of thedepository is represented by the logic flow included in FIGS. 28 through30. Responsive to the central circuitry determining that the depositoryowner is the recipient of the deposit item to be notified in step 528,the central circuitry operates to produce and at least one notificationmessage to the depository owner at step 530. The central circuitry isalso operative to generate a one-time recipient access code foraccessing the depository to retrieve the deposit item at step 532. Thecentral circuitry then operates to send at least one recipientnotification message including data corresponding to the one-timerecipient access code to the portable wireless device or other contactdevice of the depository owner as represented at step 534. The centralsystem circuitry further operates store in correlated relation the datacorresponding to at least two of the identifying data for the deposititem recipient, the one-time code, the deposit item identifier, and theinterior area/depository in which the deposit item is stored. Thedepository owner then travels to the depository and inputs theiridentifying data wirelessly to the RF input device of the depository asrepresented by step 536. This identifying data may include an ID tokenassigned through a registration process of the central system circuitry.The control circuitry of the depository receives the wireless messagesincluding the identifying data at step 538 and also operates to receivethe one-time recipient access code through the keypad, wireless portalor other input device at step 540. The control circuitry of thedepository is then operative to send at least one depository accessrequest message including data corresponding to the identification data,the input recipient access code and the depository identifier to thecentral circuitry at step 542.

The central circuitry operates to receive the data in the at least onedepository access request message at step 544 and uses the stored datato verify at step 546 that the received user identifying data andrecipient access code data correspond to the data for authorized accessto the interior area of the destination depository housing the deposititem. The central circuitry then operates to send one or more depositoryaccess approval messages to the depository as indicated at step 548. Thecontrol circuitry of the depository receives and verifies the messagedata at step 550 and changes the condition of the lock on the depositoryto the unlocked condition as represented by step 552. The exemplarycontrol circuitry of the depository operates to capture through sensorsand/or input devices the deposit identifying indicia on the deposititem, size, property and/or weight data associated with the deposit itembeing removed from the depository as represented by step 554 and alsocaptures images of the recipient depository user and the deposit itemwhich are stored in the data store of the depository control circuitryalong with time data as represented at step 556. Alternatively or inaddition the user may operate their mobile wireless device to captureimages of the item identifying indicia using a camera thereof and sendit to the central circuitry.

The exemplary control circuitry associated with the depository isoperative to send at least one parcel removal message including datacorresponding to the deposit item identifying indicia, size, propertyand/or weight data to the central circuitry as represented at step 558.The central circuitry receives the data at step 560 and at step 562verifies that the indicia, size, property and/or weight data sentregarding the deposit item and the user identifying data, corresponds tothe authorized removal of the deposit item from the depository.Alternatively or in addition the central circuitry receives the parcelidentifying indicia and/or other images or data from the recipient'sportable wireless device. In the exemplary arrangement the centralcircuitry is operative to determine that machine readable indicia readfrom the removed deposit item corresponds to the deposit itemidentifier. The central circuitry is operative at step 564 to send oneor more correct parcel removal messages to the depository indicatingthat the received information is appropriate. The control circuitry ofthe depository receives the one or more correct parcel removal messagesat step 566 and provides an indication through the one or moreindicators or other output devices of the depository that the deposititem removal data is appropriate at step 568. Alternatively or inaddition the at least one correct parcel removal message may be sent tothe recipient device.

The exemplary control circuitry associated with the depository is thenoperative to determine from the captured image data, size, propertyand/or weight data the action status of the deposit item. This is donein a step 570 in which the action status that the deposit item has beenremoved from the depository is determined. The control circuitry thenoperates to sense the closing of the depository door in step 572 andcauses the condition of the lock to be changed to the locked conditionin a step 574. The control circuitry of the depository then operates tosend one or more parcel removed messages to the central circuitry toindicate that the deposit item has been removed from the depository atstep 576.

The exemplary central circuitry then operates to update the status dataincluded in one or more data stores of the central circuitry to indicatethe deposit item has been removed from the depository as represented instep 578. In some arrangements the central circuitry operates to sendone or more recipient confirmation request messages to the portablewireless device or other device of the recipient depository owner toconfirm that they have taken the deposit item as represented by step580. The portable wireless device or other device of the recipientdepository owner receives the receipt confirmation request messages andprovides outputs indicating that the confirmation is requested. This isrepresented by a step 582. Responsive to the depository owner providingone or more inputs to their portable wireless or other recipient deviceconfirming receipt of the deposit item, the recipient device operates tosend one or more recipient confirmation response messages to the centralcircuitry as represented by step 584.

The central circuitry receives the at least one recipient confirmationresponse message from the depository owner at step 586. Responsive toreceiving the confirmation that the deposit item has been received bythe intended recipient, the central circuitry operates to send one ormore messages to the user device of the shipper user who is responsiblefor causing transport of the deposit item to the recipient. This isrepresented by step 588. Receipt of the information by the shipper whois the originator of the deposit item is represented by step 590. Theexemplary central circuitry is also operative at step 592 to calculatethe charge associated with the transport of the deposit item and toassess the charge to the shipper entity that requested the transport.The entity requesting the transport is notified of the charge throughone or more messages which are sent at step 594 and which are receivedby the user who is the shipper through their portable wireless device atstep 596. In the exemplary arrangement the charges are assessed to thefunds source in the manner as designated by the user requestingtransport at the time that the request was input to the system. Ofcourse these approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments otherapproaches may be used. For example in other arrangements the chargesmay be assessed to a recipient.

The alternative exemplary logic flow when the recipient of the deposititem is not the owner of the destination depository is represented inFIGS. 31 to 34. In this exemplary arrangement from step 528 the centralcircuitry is operative to determine the deposit item recipient to benotified as represented in step 598. The recipient and/or recipientcontact data may be included in the transport request message. Therecipient and/or recipient contact data may alternatively be resolved bythe central circuitry from the delivery item destination location orother data included in the request for transport based on storedregistered user data in the at least one data store for the recipient.If the recipient is not a registered system user the central controlcircuitry my require additional information from the shipper user aspart of the transport request such as an invoice number or other datathat can be used to confirm the identity of the recipient. The centralcircuitry is further operative to determine the one-time recipientaccess code to be used to access the interior area depository in whichthe deposit item is held at step 600. The central circuitry is alsooperative to determine data stored in the associated data store whichcorresponds to the applicable requirements associated with thedepository which houses the deposit item as represented at step 602.This may include restrictions placed on operation of the depository bythe depository owner, such as limited times for access or otherrequirements which restrict use of the depository by entities other thanthe depository owner. The central system circuitry further operates tostore in correlated relation the data corresponding to at least two ofthe deposit item recipient, the one-time code, the deposit itemidentifier, and the interior area/depository in which the deposit itemis stored.

The exemplary central circuitry is operative to send data correspondingto the notification and recipient access code and other applicablerequirements to the portable wireless device (or other device) of therecipient in at least one notification message as represented by step604. The notification message may include user identifying data for therecipient that is usable in connection with obtaining the deposit itemif the recipient is not a registered system user who has an ID token. Insome situations the identifying data may include an ID token or otheridentifying data that was provided to the recipient during aregistration process that is required to participate in the system. Theportable wireless device is operative to provide outputs to therecipient of the information needed to access the depository to retrievethe deposit item. As can be appreciated, in some arrangements theinformation sent to the recipient may include GPS or other location datathat facilitates the recipient traveling to the depository to obtain thedeposit item.

In an exemplary arrangement the recipient upon being in proximity withthe depository operates their portable wireless device to provide theuser identifying data wirelessly to the RF input device of thedepository as represented by step 606. The depository receives theidentifying data as represented by step 608 and also receives theone-time recipient access code through the keypad, or wireless portal orother input device as represented by step 610. In some cases therecipient user may also be required to input other identifying data. Thecontrol circuitry is operative to cause data corresponding to thereceived user identifying data, the code data and depository identifyingdata to be sent to the central circuitry in at least one depositoryaccess request message as represented by step 612. The central circuitryreceives the data in the at least one depository access request messageas represented at step 614 and operates using the stored data to verifythe received user identifying data and the recipient access code data asrepresented at step 616. The central circuitry is then operative in amanner like that previously discussed to send one or more depositoryaccess approval messages to the depository indicating that the activityis authorized and that the depository interior area housing the deposititem should be unlocked. This is represented by step 618.

The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative toreceive and verify the at least one depository access approval messagefrom the central circuitry as represented by step 620. Responsive atleast in part to the receipt of the messages the control circuitry isoperative to unlock the lock to the interior area housing the deposititem as represented by step 622 and to cause the sensors comprisingreading devices to capture the size, properties and/or weight associatedwith the item and the machine readable indicia on the deposit itemremoved from the interior area of the depository as represented by step624. Alternatively or in addition the recipient may be prompted tocapture item identifying indicia from the parcel or other image datathrough use of the camera on their portable wireless device and transmitmessages to the control circuitry or this central circuitry includingsuch image data and/or indicia. The control circuitry is also operativeto capture images of the recipient user and the deposit item, and storethe images and size, property and/or weight data in the data storeassociated with the control circuitry along with time data asrepresented by step 626.

The control circuitry associated with the depository is operative tosend data corresponding to the indicia read and/or sensed from thedeposit item such as size, property and/or weight data to the centralcircuitry in at least one parcel removal message as represented by step628. The central circuitry receives the data from the depository and/orthe recipient device as represented by step 630 and operates to verifythat the received indicia and weight data corresponds to the appropriatedepository item and the user identifying data received corresponds tothe authorized recipient as represented by step 632. In an exemplaryarrangement the central circuitry is operative to verify that themachine readable indicia read from the removed deposit item correspondsto the delivery item identifier. The central circuitry is operative tosend one or more correct parcel verification messages to the depositoryindicating that the information related to removal of the deposit itemis correct. Such messages may additionally or alternatively be sent tothe recipient device. This is represented by step 634. The controlcircuitry of the depository is operative to receive the correct parcelverification messages from the central circuitry as represented by step636 and to provide one or more outputs through the indicators or otheroutput devices on the depository that the deposit item information iscorrect as represented by step 638.

The control circuitry of the depository is then operative to analyze thecaptured image data, size property and/or weight data to determine theaction status associated with the deposit item as represented by step640. In this situation the control circuitry is operative to determinethat the deposit item has been removed from the depository. The controlcircuitry is also operative to sense for closure of the depository dooras represented by step 642, and responsive to sensing the closurethereof, to cause the lock to be returned to the locked condition asrepresented by step 644. The control circuitry of the depository isoperative to send one or more delivery completion messages to thecentral circuitry indicating that the deposit item has been removed fromthe depository as represented by step 646. The central circuitry isoperative to receive the delivery completion messages from thedepository and update the status data in the data store related to thedeposit item to indicate that the deposit item has been removed from thedepository as represented in step 648.

In a manner like that previously discussed, in some arrangements thecentral circuitry is further operative to cause one or more receiptconfirmation request messages to be sent to the portable wireless deviceof the recipient. This is represented by step 650. The messages requestconfirmation that the deposit item has been received by the recipient.The portable wireless device of the recipient is operative responsive tothe messages to provide outputs requesting such confirmation asrepresented by step 652. The recipient then provides one or more inputsto their portable wireless device confirming receipt of the deposit itemas represented by step 654. The recipient wireless device operatesresponsive to the recipient inputs to send at least one receiptconfirmation response message to the central circuitry. The centralcircuitry is operative to receive the at least one receipt confirmationfrom the recipient at step 656, and to send a notification message tothe user device of the shipper user that requested the transport of thedeposit item to indicate that the item has been received at step 658.The portable wireless device of the shipper user that requested thetransport receives one or more delivery indication messages asrepresented by step 660.

The exemplary central circuitry is also operative to calculate thecharge to be assessed to the shipper user requesting transport of thedeposit item for the transport thereof. This is represented by step 662.The charge for transport is assessed to the shipper user in the mannerdesignated at the time of requesting shipment, and the user is notifiedof the charge as represented at step 664. The user receives the chargenotifications through their portable wireless device as represented bystep 667.

Further in this exemplary arrangement because the deposit item wasdelivered to the recipient through the depository that is owned by adepository owner other than the recipient, the depository owner receivesa payment for the associated use of their depository in connection withthe delivery of the deposit item. In the exemplary arrangement thecentral circuitry is operative to calculate a payment that is due thedepository owner as represented in a step 668. In some exemplaryarrangements the central circuitry is operative to send one or moremessages to the portable wireless device or other system device operatedby the depository owner to indicate the receipt of the payments for theuse of the depository. Alternatively in other exemplary arrangements,the central circuitry may operate to credit an account of the depositoryowner for such use of the depository by offsetting the amount of creditsagainst charges to the depository owner for acceptance, transport and/ordelivery of deposit items. Of course it should be understood that theseapproaches are exemplary and in other embodiments other approaches maybe used.

It should be understood that while the examples provided discuss usersdealing with a single depository item, in exemplary systems numerousdifferent deposit items will be handled by each authorized user. Thismay be particularly true of item carrier users that simultaneouslyhandle a plurality of deposit items that are being transported as abundle or group between different depositories. The exemplaryembodiments help to assure that the proper depository items are removedand deposited in the proper depository for purposes of transporting theitem to the proper destination. The ability of the exemplaryarrangements to provide an indication of any incorrect actions and totrack the whereabouts of deposit items within the system at all timesfacilitates the prompt and reliable transport and delivery of suchdepository items.

Further the exemplary arrangements provide advantages for transport ofitems between depositories by enabling the transport to be made byindividuals who often are otherwise commuting or otherwise traveling tolocations where item transport can be conducted as an ancillary activitythat generates revenue for the users. Such transport can also be made inincremental steps as previously discussed based on the availabletransport users. The ability to utilize such user resources can alsoprovide more options for transport of items, while reducing costscompared to scheduled transport systems.

As previously discussed in other exemplary arrangements item carriersmay deliver deposit items to recipient addresses rather than to an itemdepository as a final destination. In such arrangements the item carriermay use their carrier contact device for purposes of documenting thedelivery to the recipient. This may include for example, using thecarrier contact device as a reader to capture images of the deposititem, including the identifying indicia on the parcel, showing theparcel placed at the delivery location. Alternatively or in addition anitem carrier may utilize the carrier contact device and the camerathereon to capture images that show the recipient facility or theindividual to whom the item is delivered. In still other exemplaryarrangements the item carrier device may be operated by the item carrierto receive audio or audiovisual acknowledgments from the recipient todocument the delivery of the parcel. Exemplary carrier contact devicesmay also include circuit executable instructions that enable the itemcarrier to capture a “signature” of the parcel recipient throughsignature capture via recipient finger contact with the touchscreen ofthe carrier contact device or through other types of inputs which therecipient has agreed correspond to their legal signature. Messagesincluding the parcel identifying indicia, and delivery documentation aretransmitted to the central system circuitry from the carrier contactdevice. In some arrangements the data sent may also include positiondata, such as GPS data, which is indicative of the location and time atwhich such documentation was captured. Such information may be imbeddedin metadata of captured images for example. The exemplary central systemcircuitry is operative to store in at least one data store the deliverydocumentation in connection with the other data related to the deliveryitem. Such record information related to the delivery of the parcel maybe stored in at least one data store in connection with the centralcircuitry for a programmed period of time so that the delivery thereofto the recipient can be audited and documented in the event thatquestions arise as to the delivery or disposition of the particularparcel. Of course these approaches are exemplary and in otherarrangements other approaches may be used.

Similar approaches may be used in some exemplary arrangements to have anitem carrier pickup deposit items at an originating shipper address. Theitem carrier may operate their mobile device to capture the itemidentifying information and other item and shipper information todocument acceptance of the item for transport.

In exemplary arrangements the central system or other connected systemsmay be further operative to assure that the depositories operateproperly and that malfunctions or anomalies are detected and correctedpromptly. For example in exemplary arrangements the central system mayoperate to receive information from the control circuitry associatedwith each depository that is indicative of conditions or statusesassociated with the devices that are included as part of the depositoryor that are in operative connection therewith. In some exemplaryarrangements the control circuitry of each depository may be operativeto automatically report condition and/or status information on aperiodic basis to the central circuitry. Alternatively or in additionthe central circuitry may be operative to periodically poll the controlcircuitry of each depository, which polling messages are operative tocause sending of information by the depository, and the receipt of thecondition or status information by the central circuitry. Variouscombinations of such techniques and alternative arrangements forobtaining condition and status information associated with depositoriesmay be provided in exemplary arrangements.

The control circuitry of depositories in some exemplary arrangements maybe operative in accordance with circuit executable instructions tomonitor signals associated with the devices included in or connected tothe depository. This may include sensors which are operative to detecterrors or malfunctions. For example, the control circuitry may operateto detect situations where sensors such as cameras or other imagecapture devices associated with the depository are no longer operativeto send image signals or have degraded clarity so as to indicate a lossof image capture capability. Other signals may be operative to detect amalfunction of other sensors, such as switches that are operative todetermine the status of the depository door or other component monitoredby the switch. In other exemplary arrangements conditions associatedwith the lock or locks associated with the depository door may bemonitored for purposes of detecting a malfunction or possible efforts attampering. In some exemplary arrangements the circuitry may operate tomonitor the operation of the one or more sensors, such as propertysensors of the types previously discussed. Property sensors such asweight sensors, size sensors, image sensors, and other sensor types aremonitored to determine if a sensor has malfunctioned or has decreasedsensitivity. Other sensors may operate to detect abnormal conditionssuch as high or low temperatures which may indicate a problem or amalfunction. Other sensors may operate to detect smoke or otherparticulate matter which may indicate combustion or other possibleproblems. Additional sensors may be operative to detect the temperatureof the control circuitry, a power supply and/or a battery or otherelement in connection therewith, for purposes of determining a possiblemalfunction.

In other exemplary arrangements conditions associated with sensors ordevices may be monitored to determine malfunctions or other conditionsindicative of problems or a probable future problem. For example, if thedepository is located in an environment that needs to be illuminatedsuch as during evening hours, sensors may be operative to monitor forthe presence of a level of ambient lighting that operates to illuminatethe area of the depository for security reasons. The absence of asufficient level of ambient illumination may be detected as anunacceptable condition which needs to be remedied by the replacement ofbulbs or other illumination devices in the area of the depository.Further in exemplary arrangements the circuitry may be in operativeconnection with sensors that are operative to detect the power drawassociated with the operation of depository devices. For example thecontrol circuitry may be operative to detect the power draw associatedwith the electrical actuation needed for locking or unlocking the lockof the depository. The values associated with the power required forsuch activity may be stored and monitored over time so that changesindicative of a developing problem due to changes can be determined.Alternatively or in addition, conditions associated with the availablepower capabilities provided by a battery and/or solar cells may bemonitored to identify circumstances or trends which indicate that thebattery and/or solar power source has failed or is exhibiting conditionswhich correspond to probable upcoming failure. In some exemplaryarrangements such data may be stored and monitored over time. Such datamay be analyzed to determine trends which are indicative of theparticular component nearing an end-of-life condition or a probablefuture malfunction.

In other exemplary arrangements the control circuitry may operate tomonitor connectivity associated with wireless communications or othercommunication channels for purposes of verifying that the depository ismaintaining the required communications capability with the centralsystem. The inability to maintain such communications capability over aperiod of time may indicate problems associated with the controlcircuitry and/or the network in which the depository is connected.Further in exemplary arrangements the depository may include sensorswhich may sense conditions that are indicative of a criminal attack onthe depository. These may include for example conductivity integritysensors which are positioned in the walls, a bottom and/or one or moredoors of the depository and which are operative to detect holes, cuttingaction or other attempts to access the depository interior. In otherexemplary arrangements seismic sensors may be included in depositoriesfor purposes of detecting circumstances under which a depository may bemoved or may be subject to impacts for purposes of attempting to stealor breach the depository. Still in other exemplary arrangements sensorsmay be provided in or adjacent to the depository for purposes ofdetermining external conditions such as fire, smoke, heat, flood orother conditions which are problematic to the operation of thedepository unit. Of course these conditions which may be monitored andanalyzed are exemplary, and in other embodiments other conditions may bedetected and approaches may be used.

In exemplary arrangements the control circuitry associated with thedepository may operate to analyze signals or conditions, and sendmessages to notify the central system circuitry of the particularcondition. In some exemplary arrangements the depository controlcircuitry may be configured to operate so that detection of thecondition may be automatically notified to the central system circuitryas soon as it is detected. This may include categories of urgentconditions such as circumstances which correspond to criminal attacksthat attempt to access the interior of the depository. In othercircumstances data corresponding to other less urgent conditions may bestored as status data in one or more data stores associated with thedepository control circuitry. Such status condition information may besent individually or in combination with other status information to thecentral system circuitry when the depository is polled or otherwiserequested to submit status data. Of course these approaches areexemplary and in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In some exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry may beoperative to include data corresponding to acceptable operatingparameters and ranges for the operation of components included indepositories. Such stored data may correspond to a model, template orother arrangement of information that provides suitable ranges fordetected readings, parameters or conditions when a depository isoperating properly. In exemplary arrangements communications between thecentral system circuitry and the control circuitry of each depositorymay be operative to determine the information from the depositorynecessary to compare the status information associated with thedepository to the stored data. The central circuitry may operate inaccordance with its programmed instructions to identify anomalies orirregularities in the data from the depository and to determine thecondition or conditions indicated by this data. Further in exemplaryarrangements the central circuitry may be operative to identify theremedial actions that are necessary in response to the data that isreceived from a depository.

In exemplary arrangements in response to determining abnormalconditions, problems, malfunctions or developing conditions at adepository, the central system circuitry may operate in accordance withits programmed circuit instructions to take programmed actions inresponse to such determinations. Such programmed actions may include forexample, sending one or more messages to other systems to indicate theneed for repair, servicing or other actions associated with theparticular depository. In other circumstances such actions may includenotifying appropriate authorities of the condition at a depository. Forexample if the detected condition includes an attempted theft, breach ofthe depository or fire condition, the central system circuitry mayoperate to notify appropriate police or fire authorities in the areawhere the depository is located. In other circumstances the centralsystem circuitry may operate in accordance with its programming tocommunicate with other systems to schedule a service call or otherremedial or preventive maintenance at the particular depository tocorrect conditions and/or to replace parts that may be reaching thepredicted end of useful life. Of course these approaches are exemplaryand in other embodiments other approaches may be used.

In still other exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry maybe operative to communicate with the depository to attempt remotecorrection of problematic conditions which are detected. For example, incircumstances where the depository or device included therein may not beoperating in a proper manner, the exemplary system may operate todownload to the control circuitry of the depository, circuit executableinstructions that may correct or reduce the effect of the problem. Thismay include for example, downloading to the control circuitry of thedepository a substitute script to be executed by the control circuitryfor purposes of controlling a particular device. The central system maycause the download of instructions that cause the control circuitry ofthe depository to execute the substitute script and report the resultsto the central system. The results reported may indicate further stepsthat can be taken by the central system through detecting signals fromthe control circuitry and downloading further scripts or otherinstructions for purposes of remotely determining the problem and/ormaking corrections. In other arrangements the central system may operateto cause the control circuitry of a depository or devices connectedthereto to reboot or otherwise initialize in an attempt to addressproblems or correct anomalies. Of course it should be understood thatthese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments numerous otherapproaches may be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 35 there is provided an exemplary parceltransaction monitor 3501, for a monitored-access parcel depository,which is alternatively referred to herein as a repository or a lock box.Deposit items and delivery items are alternatively referred to herein asparcels or packages. The exemplary repository (not shown), includescontrol circuitry including at least one controller 3502 withsensor/actuator arrays 3503 and 3504 respectively. The control circuitryis operable to monitor parcel transactions for at least one of parceldelivery or parcel extraction transactions in relation to saidrepository, and providing for at least one of:

-   -   An incipient transaction detection module 3505 for prospectively        detecting an incipient parcel transaction in relation to the        repository of an at least one of a possible parcel for delivery        transaction, or a possible parcel carrier intent on a repository        parcel transaction;    -   A parcel transaction characterization module 3506 for        differentially characterizing a parcel transaction; or,    -   A parcel-inventory and transaction-recording module 3507 for        sensing a change in repository parcel inventory resulting from a        repository parcel transaction.

These exemplary modules are adapted to variously employ elements andfunctions of said controller and array for the respective operationsthereof, and the elements and functions of the controller and array maybe variously shared between the modules in the execution of theirrespective operations.

An incipient transaction detection module 3505 is comprised of acontroller 3502 and sensor/actuator arrays 3504/3503 for use with acontrolled-access parcel repository which includes an at least onesensor for detecting proximity (which may involve physical contact withthe repository or something more distant) of a possible parcel fordelivery or a possible parcel carrier intent on a repository parceltransaction.

By way of example, this module may employ for this purpose, thecontroller with ones or combinations of sensors/actuators of said array,including:

-   -   Accelerometers, or similar repository movement or contact        detectors, (e.g. even something as simple as a contact        switch—such as a button or a keyboard, or the operation of a        parcel repository access door or chute);    -   Ultrasonic, photoelectric, infra-red, exogenous motion or        presence detectors; or,    -   Proximity or estimated time of arrival by radio-frequency—e.g.        by tracking a parcel or its carrier location using a GPS signal        through a smart phone or other communications device (geo        fencing, geo location etc.), or more locally by detecting an        RFID or NFC device signal, a Bluetooth device or the like.

The proximity detection module may, on detection of such proximity, andpresupposing thereby a possible parcel for delivery or a possible parcelcarrier intent on a repository parcel transaction, may be operable tofurther actuate one or both of the other modules. Accordingly thereforein aspects of exemplary arrangements the incipient transaction detectionmodule may further operate an at least one actuator for:

-   -   actuating a parcel transaction characterization module of said        controlled-access parcel repository for differentially        characterizing a parcel transaction.    -   actuating a parcel-inventory and transaction-recording module        for sensing a change in repository parcel inventory resulting        from a repository parcel transaction.

In this way the transaction detection module may power-up otherrepository modules which may have been turned off or in a hibernatingmode in the absence of a prospective parcel transaction (as a powerconservation measure, or to prepare such modules for use, in order toexpedite the impending parcel transaction).

In an aspect of an exemplary arrangement a parcel transactioncharacterization module is comprised of a controller and sensor/actuatorarray for use with a controlled-access parcel repository, and includingat least one automated sensor operable to facilitate at least one ofpackage or item carrier identification sensing of a corresponding atleast one of a possible package or possible carrier presenting at saidrepository, wherein said module differentiates sensed identificationsensor input thereof to correspondingly:

-   -   facilitate an impending pre-authorized transaction corresponding        to said identification; or,    -   call for a real-time ad hoc user-mediated authorization for an        impending transaction, and facilitate a call-responsive ad hoc        user-mediated authorization for said impending transaction; or,    -   decline (by default, in the absence of at least one of the two        above mentioned “authorizations” to actively facilitate an        otherwise unauthorized impending transaction.

Sensed identification sensor may be a controller and array associatedcamera (which may include a facial recognition facility) or scanner(e.g. bar code, or QR code or the like), a voice or other acoustic inputrecognition sensor, an RFID, Bluetooth or other parcel transactionidentifier for input into said module to differentiate between andselectively facilitate the above operations.

In the instance of an impending pre-authorized transaction correspondingto said sensed identification input, this module may employ acontroller/array associated communications module 3508 to signalspecifics of the impending transaction to, for example, the repositoriesowner/user and/or the parcel carrier or carrier service.

In calling for a real-time ad hoc user-mediated authorization for animpending transaction the parcel transaction characterization module mayactuate a communications module (which the controller includes orprovides access to), to contact a user with a request for authorizationof the impending parcel transaction—and subject to a user's authorizingresponse thereto, to facilitate the impending transaction as anauthorized one.

In an instance of an identified pre-authorized transaction, or aninstance wherein a real-time ad hoc user-mediated authorization isreceived in response to a call therefore, the parcel transactioncharacterization module may signal a latching actuator, as elaboratedbelow in relation to an accessibility control according to an aspect ofan exemplary arrangement.

Where the module operates otherwise than in facilitating an authorizedtransaction, it may be operable to notify a user (e.g. through saidcommunications module as aforesaid) of an unauthorized characterizationstatus of the presumed parcel transaction.

In another aspect of an exemplary arrangement there is provided aparcel-inventory and transaction-recording module, for use with acontrolled-access parcel repository including an at least one sensor forsensing a change in package inventory resulting from a repository parceltransaction.

Parcel sizes may be employed (scanned or otherwise sensed as for exampleby photo-detectors adapted to detect the presence of parcels throughinterruption of a light beam), or recorded images of the parcels may bestored for these purposes, but an exemplary operation senses parcelweights, by way of a weight (e.g. load) sensor that measures theaccumulated parcel weight secured within the interior of the repository.The load or other inventory sensor communicates with acontroller-associated memory to log changes in the sensed weight inassociation with changes in the parcel inventory. In an exemplaryarrangement, such a memory correlates parcel transaction identificationswith the particular weight change (and time for embodiments where thecontroller includes a clock facility for such a purpose) associated withthe sensed change in the repository's parcel inventory.

In an exemplary arrangement, there is provided an accessibility control,for a controlled-access parcel repository, and comprised of at least onecontroller with a sensor/actuator array operable to selectively controlaccess to said parcel repository, and comprised of at least onecontroller with a sensor/actuator array operable to facilitatecontrolled-access parcel transactions for at least one of parceldelivery or parcel extraction transactions in relation to saidrepository, and providing a parcel transaction characterization modulefor facilitating selective locking and unlocking operations of arepository lock actuator, in association with authorized parceltransactions characterized by said parcel transaction characterizationmodule. A latching mechanism may be operated by an actuator through thecontroller operation by the parcel transaction characterization module.

The accessibility control may be used in association with any controlledaccess repository, including by way of example only, a building'svestibule, a parcel through-wall passage portal, a garage door, astorage shed, a chest or lock box or other such providing restrictedaccess to an interior space serving to secure parcels reposing therein.Repositories of exemplary arrangements may, in addition to a securedaccess thereto, may also provide an unsecured access for facilitatingparcel deliveries—see for example the provision of a one-way chute inthe repository embodiment depicted in FIGS. 36 through 39, which mayprovide for delivery of parcels notwithstanding the authorization statusassociated with any given delivery. In such cases, the accessibilitycontrol may be used to selectively facilitate authorized access torestricted areas of the repository in question.

The accessibility control herein may further provide for at least one ofthe incipient transaction detection module or the parcel-inventory andtransaction-recording modules mentioned elsewhere herein.

In general, including in conjunction with modules 3505-3507,communications module 3508 may be operated through controller 3505 tocommunicate sensor-related signals to parties variously involved in aparcel transaction; and to receive authorization and to control signalsfrom such parties, to operate actuators associated with actuator array3504.

Cellular, Wi-Fi, land line, internet, or other communications channelsmay be employed in this connection. Other exemplary aspects of thecontroller and array features relating to an exemplary arrangement aredisclosed in relation to the embodiments of FIGS. 40 through 44described elsewhere herein.

Referring now also to FIGS. 36 through 39 there is illustrated variousviews of an example of a parcel repository related to aspects ofexemplary arrangements.

In accordance with an aspect of an exemplary arrangement, there isprovided a parcel repository comprising a free-standing parcelrepository 3601, defining an enclosure comprised, in part, by a toppanel 3602 a adapted to cooperate with the enclosure's sides, back andbottom panel assembly 3602 b, and a molded cabinet face frame 3602 c.

This repository includes a one-way delivery chute 3603, providing anaccess portal for introduction and passage of a parcel delivery intosaid repository, but further including a gate for interfering withremoval through that chute, of parcels secured within a secured storagebay portion of the repository. External portions of the chute which willbe considered a door for purposes of this disclosure, include a deliverychute front panel 3603 a, and a hinge 3603 b for facilitating openingand closing of the panel as well as operation of the chute 3603 moregenerally.

This repository further includes a selectively securable (e.g.locked/unlocked) parcel storage bay 3604 having a hinged storage baydoor hinge 3604 a and a corresponding hinge 3604 b to facilitate theopening and closing thereof. Storage bay 3604 corresponds to an interiorarea of the repository.

Hinges 3603 b and 3604 b and mounted on respective portions of frameportion of the cabinet face 3602 c.

This repository arrangement (by way of example) provides for twodelivery modalities: one facilitated through one-way delivery chute3603; and the other directly into storage bay 3604 through selectivelysecured hinged door 3604 a. However, of these two distinct deliverymodalities, only the hinged door 3604 a is adapted to facilitatewithdrawal of parcels from the storage bay 3604. This arrangementflexibly facilitates parcel deliveries to be made without necessarilyrequiring any particular pre-authorization or real-time authorization,but necessitates authorized access to storage bay 3604 in order toremove delivered parcels from the secured storage bay 3604.

Repository 3601 also provides for an inner-delivery chute front interiorpanel 3603 c for supporting parcels for delivery during parcelintroduction through delivery chute 3603 on its way into storage bay3604. Chute 3603 is opened for a delivery transaction, by drawing arecessed handle 3603 i forward and downwardly, rotating front panel 3603a and attached front interior panel 3603 c outwardly together, aroundhinge 3603 b. Pivot anchors 3603 f (secured to front interior panel 3603c), in turn draw outwardly and downwardly through pivot pins 3603 k,pulling tray 3603 h to rotate by the pivot pins 3603 k which areconnected to connecting arms 3603 e to anchor 3603 j on the tray. Tray3603 h rotates in response to this action, around tray pivots 3603 gthat connect tray 3603 h to enclosure side and back and bottom panelassembly 3602 b—and into a position that provides a generally coplanardelivery chute surface alignment with front interior panel 3603 c. Thatco-planar alignment facilitates the transfer of a parcel from the panel3603 c onto the receiving surface 3603 d of tray 3603 h.

With a parcel positioned on the receiving surface 3603 d of tray 3603 h,the return of front panel 3603 a towards its upright and ultimatelyre-closed position, rotates tray 3603 h from the coplanar alignmentmentioned above, into an inclined orientation, which induces the parcelto slide along and ultimately off of supporting tray 3603 h, to releasethe parcel into the repository's interior area, where delivered parcelsaccumulate in storage bay 3604, in supported relation on parcelrepository bay floor 3608.

In the illustrated embodiment, parcel delivery transactions made throughthe chute are not restricted by the operation of the accessibilitycontrol.

Parcel bay floor 3608 is connected with a load sensor 3607, which isoperable to sense increases/decreases in the accumulated weight ofdelivered parcels stored within storage bay 3604 on bay floor 3608, asparcels are added by delivery transactions, or removed during pickuptransactions to and from repository 3601.

Controller 3609 is connected to an array of sensors and actuators,including latch actuator 3604 c an acoustic transducer 3610, an on-boardcamera/scanner (not shown), and load sensor 3607. Controller 3609 alsoincludes a power management connection for selectively powering therepository operations using a utility line voltage source (not shown) orbattery power from battery 3606, or other power sources (not shown, butincluding by way of example, solar panels) The exemplary controller 3609is also in operative connection with a wireless antenna 3605 to providewireless communications.

The on-board camera provides for video and/or still pictures, as well asfor bar-code/QR-code scan sensing. The acoustic transducer 3610 providesfor audio signaling, and optionally for audio pick-up (sound sensing).Load sensor 3607 senses weight changes reflecting changes in parcelinventory secured within repository 3601 interior area—and may furtherassociate weight changes with particular parcel transactions. Latchactuator 3604 c facilitates locking and unlocking operations of door3604 a to provide selective access to storage bay 3604.

Referring now to FIGS. 40 through 44, there are illustrated examples ofaspects of exemplary arrangements relating to a delivery lock box (i.e.repository) controller (or controller module) for operating a deliverylock box, and comprises a controller operable for controlling lock boxperipherals of arrays thereof to provide discrete modularfunctionalities variously related to unattended-delivery lock boxconvenience as well as operational and forensic security, but moreparticularly to providing combinations of modular functions variouslycooperating for providing augmented, and in some embodiments, real-timeremote user interface access for such operational/forensic security. Inaccordance with an exemplary arrangement there is provided discretemodular functionalities variously related to unattended-delivery lockbox convenience as well as operational and forensic security, as well asproviding combinations of modular functions cooperating variously forproviding augmented, and in some embodiments, real-time remote userinterface access for such operational/forensic security. Moreparticularly, exemplary arrangements include a (e.g. package) deliverylock box controller module for operating a delivery lock box having acontroller operable for controlling lock box peripherals including oneor more of: a lock box communications module; a camera and imagerecording module; a proximity detection sensor module; a lock boxmotion/shock detection sensor module; and/or a remote lock actuatormodule.

The lock box communications module is adapted to facilitate RF (radiofrequency) communication of lock box peripherals data to a lock boxuser, and may additionally variously facilitate lock box peripheralcontrol by the user.

The camera and image recording module is adapted to be selectivelyoperable for pre-determinedly capturing and recording at least one imageof at least a portion of the lock boxes surroundings. In an aspect ofthe present arrangement, the camera may also serve a scanner/readerfunction.

The proximity detection sensor module may serve in the detection of atriggering presence within a range proximal to the lock box andsignaling (buzzer or other acoustical device, or RF e.g. through thelock box communications module) a proximity notification of suchpresence.

The lock box motion/shock detection sensor module, operable fordetecting a triggering lock box motion or shock and signaling (buzzer orother acoustic or illumination device, or RF signaling e.g. through thelock box communications module) a motion/shock detection notification.

The remote lock actuator module operable by an authorized remote user tooperate the lock actuator module's lock actuator.

A controller module in the context of exemplary arrangements can be, forexample, a chip, an expansion card, or a stand-alone device thatinterfaces with one or more peripheral devices. Preferably, thecontroller module comprises a single board implementation comprising acentral processing unit (processor) that processes data, memory thatholds the programs and data to be processed (although memory mayalternatively be located off-board), and I/O (input/output) devices asinterfaces that communicate with diverse peripheral devices.

FIG. 40 schematically depicts an embodiment of a control module 4001according to an exemplary arrangement, comprising a printed circuitboard 4002, a processor 4003, a memory 4004, an I/O processor interface4005, and on-board I/O devices 4006 and I/O pin socket 4007 forconnection to off-board I/O devices (not shown).

In accordance with the exemplary arrangement, computer buses of one formor another facilitate data transactions between the processor, memoryand these peripherals.

Referring now to FIG. 41, a block schematic representation is providedto illustrate a generalized relationship between processor 4003, memory4004, and a plurality of interface devices 4005 a, 4005 b and 4005 cassociated with respective peripherals 4007 a, 4007 b and 4007 c. Memorybus 4008, address bus 4009 and control bus 4010 are also illustrated inan intermediary relationship with the processor 4003, the interfacedevices 4005 a-c.

The control bus is used by the processor for communicating with otherdevices, while the address bus carries the information about the devicewith which the processor is communicating and the data bus carries theactual data being processed, and the control bus carries commands fromthe processor and returns status signals from the devices. Where anaddress bus is used to specify a physical address—such that when aprocessor or direct memory access (DMA) enabled device needs to read orwrite to a memory location, the address bus specifies that memorylocation on the address bus, but the data value to be read or written toor from that address, is sent on the data bus. The memory bus typicallyconnects the main memory to the memory controller and are often designedto connect directly to DRAM chips.

Referring now to FIG. 42 there is depicted a function block diagramdepicting processor 4003 interactions with interface 4005, through thedata bus 4008, the address bus 4009, and in the case of the control bus4010 as I/O read and I/O write transactions 4010 a and 4010 b. Interface4005 in turn, transacts with I/O devices such as devices 4006 orperipherals 4007 a-c, through an I/O bus 4011 including data validationand acceptance transactions 4012 and 4013.

Referring now to FIG. 43, an exemplary embodiment of the controllermodule is illustrated.

A main controller board 4002 a, includes a general purpose I/O pinsocket 4007, servicing: door lock/position sensors 4007 d, for lock anddoor position sensors associated with a deliver lock box locker door(s);internal lighting control 4007 e; external proximity sensor(s) 4007 f;and, a motion detector (accelerometer) 4007 g.

Controller board 4002 a further includes a PWM (pulse width modulation)output 4014 for controlling analog circuits with a microprocessor'sdigital outputs—in this instance, a transaction interaction buzzer 4007h and a theft alarm 4007 i.

Also provided on controller board 4002 a, is a DSPI serial interfaceconnection 4015 which is a fully configurable SPI master/slave device,facilitating the microcontroller's communication with serial peripheraldevices—in this case an SD memory card 4019.

Controller board 4002 a also provides for a universal asynchronousreceiver/transmitter (UART) to serial peripheral interface (SPI)interface connection 4016, which is used for communication between SPIslave devices (from a processor) and a UART port—in this instanceproviding for a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth radio peripheral 4020.

MIPI/USB interface connector 4017 enables USB connectivity to any imagesensor which is compliant with Mobile Industry Processor Interface(MIPI) Camera Serial Interface standard—connected in this case tocamera/jpeg encoder 4021.

Controller board 4002 a also supports an i.MX6 processor 4018. Processor4018 facilitates high-performance scalable multimedia processing, andincludes integrated power management based on an ARM Cortex-A9 processorsupporting HD 1080p encode and decode operation and having integratedI/O for MIPI CSI-2 camera, Gigabit Ethernet, multiple USB and PCI I/O.Power management is facilitated in conjunction with processor 4018, byway of power controller 4022, to control a hybrid power system based onsolar cells 4023 and lithium batteries 4024.

Referring now to FIG. 44, an alternative embodiment depicting acontroller board housing 4051, housing a controller board 4051 a.Controller board 4051 a can be designed to support a generic applicationprocessor, however, processor 4052 in this depicted embodiment is aPICO-IMX6 including an ARM Cortex-A9 NXP i.MX6, Small Footprint,System-on-Module (SoM) having WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth v. 4.1communication interfaces providing a compact form factor optimized forfree-standing applications with IoT connectedness. Alternativeembodiments may employ other processors, such as ARM core processors, orARM Cortex processors, such as for example, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 ewhich is an ARM Cortex A53 processor.

Processor 4052 provides I²C bus connections 4053, 4054 and 4055. The I²Cbus is a serial, half-duplex—I²C (Inter-Integrated Circuit),synchronous, multi-master, multi-slave, packet switched, single-ended,serial computer bus for attaching lower-speed peripheral ICs toprocessors and microcontrollers in short-distance, intra-boardcommunications. Connection 4053 is connected to GPIO expanders 4053 awhich are TCA5416A I/O expanders for the two-line bidirectional (I²C)bus and are designed to provide general-purpose remote I/O expansionthrough the I²C interface. Expanders 4053 a are in turn connected to ablue tooth wifi pairing button 4043 b; an FET switch 4053 c which isadapted to be connected through enclosure 4051 to a connector 4051 b andcorresponding delivery lock box connector 4051 c, to delivery lock boxexternal LED lights 4053 e; an FET switch 4053 d which is adapted to beconnected through connectors 4051 b and 4051 c, to delivery lock boxdoor locks actuators 4053 f; and through connectors 4051 b and 40451 cto delivery lock box open door sensors (door “open” contact) 4053 g.Connector 4053 h connects to delivery lock box internal LED lighting,and is co-operable with sensors 4053 g.

Connection 4054 supports both an accelerometer 4054 a and a motiondetection module 4054 b.

Accelerometer 4054 a is provided by an LSM303 breakout board whichcombines a magnetometer/compass module with a triple-axis accelerometerin a compact navigation subsystem, and its two pin I²C interface can beshared by other I²C devices, in this case including module 4054 b.

Motion detection module 4054 b provides a motion sensor connection usingan LTC2451 16-bit, analog-to-digital converter which also communicatesthrough the I²C interface 4054. It includes an integrated oscillatorthat does not require any external components and employs a delta-sigmamodulator as a converter core and provides single-cycle settling timefor multiplexed applications. The LTC2451 includes input sampling schemethat reduces the average input sampling current several orders ofmagnitude lower than conventional ΔΣ converters. The LTC2451 is capableof up to 60 conversions per second and, due to the very largeoversampling ratio, has extremely relaxed antialiasing requirements. Itconnects through pin connector 4054 c to motion sensor 4054 d.

Connection 4055 connects processor 4052 to a separate, delivery lock boxfuel gauge circuit board 4055 a carrying an LTC2943 module whichmeasures battery charge state, battery voltage, battery current forbattery bank 4055 b, as well as its own temperature in standaloneapplications. A precision coulomb counter integrates current through asensing resistor between the battery's positive terminal and the load orcharger. Voltage, current and temperature are measured with an internal14-bit No Latency ΔΣ™ ADC and the measurements are stored in internalregisters accessible via the onboard I²C/SMBus Interface. The LTC2943 isprogrammable for setting high and low thresholds for all four measuredquantities. If a programmed threshold is exceeded, the devicecommunicates an alert by setting a flag in the internal status register.The LTC2943 requires only a single low value sensing resistor to set themeasured current range.

Processor 4052 further includes a PWM (pulse width modulation) output4056 for controlling analog circuits with a microprocessor's digitaloutputs—in this instance, a buzzer speaker or other audio transducer4056 a. An SD card connector 4057 and a Wi-Fi Bluetooth connector 4058are also provided. Bluetooth connector 4058 is connected to an activeantenna power module 4058 a. Connector 4058 b provides for theconnection of a Wi-Fi/Bluetooth antenna.

The SD card connector 4057 is interconnected with an SD card slot 4057a, mounted on controller board 4051 a. An SD card (Secure Digital Card),not shown, is inserted into slot 4057 a to provide reliable data storagein a small form factor for, inter alia, digital camera images, etc. SDcards contain an internal controller interface that handles all internalflash memory operations and data transfer between the processor 4052 andthe card is done in 512 byte block, clock serial mode—using a selectedone of two bus protocols defined for SD cards, (the default native SDmode or a slower SPI mode).

Processor 4052 also provides for a UART connection 4059, communicatingwith a Debug TTL UART 4059 a.

GPIO connection 4060 on processor 4052, supports an LT3651 automaticlithium ion battery charger circuit 4060 a which functions as a solarcharge controller (in conjunction with power supply module 4060 b),charge regulator and battery regulator to limit the rate at whichelectric current is added to or drawn from battery bank 4055 b electricbatteries. Circuit 4060 a prevents overcharging and may protect againstovervoltage, which can reduce battery performance or lifespan, and maypose a safety risk. It may also prevent completely draining (“deepdischarging”) a battery, or perform controlled discharges, depending onthe battery technology, to protect battery life. Connector 4060 cprovides for the connection of solar panels or external DC powersupplies.

Processor 4052 provides a camera Serial Interface (CSI) 4061 conformingto MIPI Alliance specifications that provide for an interface between acamera and host processor 4052. Interface 4061 connects to a MIPIconnection 4061 a which in turn is connected to an OV5645 highperformance, 5-megapixel system-on-chip (SOC) 406 lb. This sensor'ssingle MIPI port replaces both a bandwidth-limited DVP interface and acostly embedded JPEG compressor, with attendant savings on siliconfootprint and cost.

USB host connector 4062 connects to a USB to SATA bridge 4062 a. Bridge4062 a is a TUSB9261 ARM® Cortex® M3 microcontroller based USB 3.0 toserial ATA bridge. It provides the necessary hardware and firmware toimplement a USB attached SCSI protocol (UASP)-compliant mass storagedevice suitable for bridging hard disk drives (HDD), solid state diskdrives (SSD), optical drives, and other compatible SATA 1.5-Gbps or SATA3.0-Gbps devices to a USB 3.0 bus. Bridge 4062 a connects in turn toSATA/PWR connector 4062 b.

Serial Peripheral Interface bus (SPI) is a synchronous serialcommunication interface 4063 a for connecting to an analog to digitalconverter 4063 a. Converter 4063 a is an ADS1148 device providing 16-bitanalog-to-digital converter that includes many integrated features toreduce system cost and component count for sensor measurementapplications—including a low-noise, programmable gain amplifier (PGA), aprecision delta-sigma (As) ADC with a single-cycle settling digitalfilter, and an internal oscillator and a built-in, low-drift voltagereference, and two matched programmable excitation current sources(IDACs).

GPIO interface 4064 connects though FET switches 4064 a to control LEDlights connected through connectors 4053 e and 4053 h.

Referring now to the drawings in general: One aspect of an exemplaryarrangement provides for a delivery lock box controller module, housedfor example in a housing 4051, and adapted for operating a delivery lockbox (not shown). This aspect of the exemplary arrangement comprises acontroller (such as controller board 4051 a and processor 4052), that isoperable for controlling lock box peripherals. In particular, the moduleaccording to this aspect of the exemplary arrangement provides for aremote lock actuator module that is operable by an authorized remoteuser. The remote lock actuator module comprises processor 4052 and I²Cbus connection 4053, GPIO expanders 4053 a, FET switch 4053 d andenclosure connector 4051 b. With enclosure connector 4051 b engaged withdelivery lock box connector 4051 c, processor 4052 may be instructed byan authorized user, to operate lock box door lock actuators 4053 f to inturn permit access to the lock box interior and thereby facilitateintroduction or removal of lock box contents. Preferably, the operationof the lock box door lock actuators 4053 f is attended by the operationof lock box external LED lights 4053 e by processor 4052 acting acrossthe connection of connectors 4051 b and 4051 c, and by way of FET switch4053 c, GPIO expanders 4053 a and I²C bus connection 4053 of processor4052. This arrangement can draw a delivery agent's attention to the lockbox and aid in the delivery agent's completion of the user-authorizedlock box transaction. This can be important since it is often desirablefor the lock box installation to be discretely placed, and/or to have itfit unobtrusively into the local decor. Note too, however, that externalLED lights 4053 e can be operated by processor 4052 independently of theoperation of door lock actuators 4053 f. This facility for independentoperation of external LED lights 4053 e permits them to be used simplyas a local source of augmented lighting; or as a flashing light sourcein the case of an emergency or security threat without occasioning theconcurrent release of the locks. Moreover lock box internal LEDoperation through connector 4053 h is also independent of the operationof external LED lights 4053 e, and operate instead in cooperation withopen door sensor 4053 g with its connections through connectors 4051 band 4051 c, GPIO expanders 4053 a, I²C bus connections 4053 to processor4052. This represents a power saving in circumstances where illuminationof the lock box interior is not required and is an importantconsideration for lock box installations that function without recourseto the electrical grid.

The lock box controller module comprising controller board 4051 a andprocessor 4052 may make provision for a camera and image recordingmodule—as for example by way of camera 40461 b, MIPI interface 4061 a,and camera serial interface 4061. This arrangement is preferablyselectively operable to (optionally pre-determinedly) capture and recordat least one image of at least a portion of said lock boxessurroundings. The recording may be captured using an off-board storagedrive, using USB host connector 4062, USB to SATA bridge 4062 a, and USBhost connector 4062 b, under the direction of processor 4052.Alternatively, the recording may be captured on an SD card (not shown)using SD card connector 4057 and SSD card slot 4057 a. An authorizeduser may trigger processor 4052 to activate the camera or the camera andthe recorder to selectively capture images. In one embodiment processor4052 operates camera 4061 b more or less continuously, and recordscaptured images on a memory device as mentioned above, but in a shortterm first-in-first out over-writing buffer file. Subject then to theoccurrence of a pre-determined triggering event, the buffer file istransferred to an archive file, preserving images recorded in advance ofthe triggering event and appending recordings of images subsequentlycaptured and recorded to the archive file, for a predetermined time orcondition. Thereafter, the camera 4061 b reverts to said more or lesscontinuous operation and recording later images into the over-writebuffer as aforesaid.

The lock box controller module comprising controller board 4051 a andprocessor 4052 may also make provision for a proximity detection sensormodule comprising motion sensor 4054 d, pin connector 4054 c, motiondetection module 4054 b and I²C bus connection 4054 for detecting atriggering presence within a range proximal to the lock box, andsignaling (e.g. by but not limited to a buzzer or other acousticaldevice, or flashing external LEDs as mentioned above), a proximitynotification of such presence. This signaling may aid in directinglegitimate approaches to the lock box, or deter illegitimate interest insame, and in either case, place the authorized user on alert to themotion in proximity to the lock box.

Similarly, the lock box controller module comprising controller board4051 a and processor 4052 may also make provision, through accelerometer4054 a and I²C bus connection 4054, for a lock box motion/shockdetection sensor module, operable for detecting a triggering lock boxmotion or shock and signaling (again, for example, via buzzer or otheracoustic or illumination device) a motion/shock detection notificationto the user. Preferably, this notification is of a loud and insistentcharacter that will assertively deter any attendant theft attempt orvandalism.

In an exemplary embodiment, the controller board 4051 a and processor4052 provide for a lock box communications module, in this case by wayof a System-on-Module (SoM) having built in Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetoothv. 4.1 radios and communication interfaces providing a compact formfactor optimized for free-standing applications with local RF networksas well as providing for IoT (internet of things) connectedness.Processor 4052 is thereby adapted to facilitate RF communication of lockbox peripherals data to a lock box user—using in this particular case,SPI connector 4063, A/D converter 4063 a as well as Bluetooth connector4058 and active antenna power module 4058 a with its connections throughconnectors 4051 b and 4051 c to antenna 4058 b. In operation, controlmodule 4001 with a communications module (e.g. associated with processor4052 as per the above) comprises a lock box Bluetooth/Wi-Ficommunications module which provides for Bluetooth-mediatedconfiguration of Wi-Fi network connections between the lock boxcommunications module and an available (e.g. local) user-selected Wi-Finetwork. More particularly, the Bluetooth facility may be operable tolink with a user phone and in turn enable a user phone toconnect/configure the lockbox to a user selected local Wi-Fi network.

Controller module 4001 may also be operable such that a “proximitynotification” includes remotely communicating a “detected presence” to auser's communication device (or some other user proxy), through thecommunications module. (Note that in general, communications to the userdevice are typically mediated via Wi-Fi or other local RF networks aswell as through cellular, internet, landlines, microwave and all thevarious modems/gateways or the like that may be variously associatedwith those networks). In an exemplary embodiment, for example, thecontrol module 4001 further comprises a cellular data modem (not shown)operable to provide an alternative user notification to a user in theevent that WIFI functionality is not used or not available for thispurpose.

Similarly, controller module 4001 may be operable to convey motion/shockdetection notifications by remotely communicating a detectedmotion/shock notification to a user's communication device,substantially as described in the preceding paragraph.

The operation of the exemplary camera and image recording module isselectively predetermined to provide continuous operation and recordingand this is facilitated by one or both of an on-board recording storageor to Wi-Fi connected storage. (Either or both such storage facilitiescan be FIFO (first-in-first out) over write in order to facilitatecurrency of recordings in the absence of unlimited storage capacity).Controller module 4001 may also be employed such that the camera andimage recording module is additionally or alternatively selectivelypredetermined to be intermittently operated—subject, for example, to adetected-event-triggered operation. In one exemplary arrangement forexample, controller module 4001 may be operable such that a proximitynotification comprises triggering the camera and image recording moduleto record and/or communicate to a user's communication device (or userproxy), that at least one image associated with the proximitynotification. Similarly, the control module 4001 may be operated suchthat the motion/shock detection notification comprises triggering saidcamera and image recording module to record and/or communicate to auser's communication device (or user proxy), of an at least one imageassociated with the motion/shock detection. In an exemplary arrangement,the intermittent operation of the camera and image recording module iscoextensive with ongoing detection of a detected trigger event.

In exemplary embodiments where the control module 4001 operates imagestorage as a first-in-first out overwrite storage buffer, the camera andimage recording module is further operable in response to a detectedtrigger event, to save the associated at least one image from thefirst-in-first out overwrite storage buffer to a long term storagearchival location, and preferably so that when a detected trigger eventso operates the camera and image recording module, that module savesassociated images from the buffer, beginning from a predetermined timepreceding detection of the detected event. Moreover, in an exemplaryarrangement when a detected trigger event so operates the camera andimage recording module, it is operated so as to save associated imagesfor a predetermined time following termination of detection of thedetected event.

In the depicted exemplary embodiment control module 4001 is furtheroperable to manage a hybrid power source power supply module 4060 bprovided from a primary power source selected from at least one of asolar power source and a line power source; and, a secondary batterypower reserve source (battery bank supply 4055 b), with the hybrid powersource being operable to variously power the delivery lock boxoperations, and employs delivery box fuel gauge circuit board 4055 a inthat connection. The control module 4001 also operates power supplymodule 4060 b, using battery charger circuit 4060 a to charge thesecondary (battery bank 4055 b) source from the primary source(s).

The control module 4001 may further comprise a cellular data modem toprovide an alternative user notification to a user, (collateral withWi-Fi functions, or as an alternative if Wi-Fi is not available).

In an aspect of an exemplary arrangement, there is also provided a weighscale peripheral connection 4066. The connection to processor 4052 canbe variously facilitated—e.g. through a general input output interface.The weigh scale peripheral may be used to signal the arrival/presence ofa package within a repository enclosure—and also in conjunction with theparcel inventory module, to track arrival and withdrawal of one or moreparcels from the parcel inventory secured within the repository.

FIGS. 45-48 show an alternative arrangement of a delivery itemrepository 670. Repository 670 is configured to be utilized in a systemwhich includes a plurality of repositories of the same or similarconfiguration, such as one of the repository configurations previouslydiscussed herein. The exemplary system is usable to transport deliveryitems which are also referred to as parcels, from a respectiveoriginating repository to a respective destination repository so as toachieve transport of the parcel from one geographic location to another.Exemplary arrangements may facilitate small-scale parcel deliveryoperations in which item carriers exchange parcels through controlledtransfers which occur through intermediate destination repositoriesunder the control of one or more servers or other central systemcircuitry in a manner like that previously discussed.

The exemplary systems facilitate the use of crowd sourced item carrierparticipation. Such item carriers may operate to transport parcelsbetween originating repositories and destination repositories. In otherexemplary arrangements item carriers may further operate to carry outpickup and delivery activities at points of parcel shipment originationor endpoints of parcel transport that do not include repositories.Exemplary arrangements may provide for a parcel delivery system which isconfigured to transport parcels that are provided from and delivered todiverse locations and at different times by a plurality of differentshipper and recipient system user types.

In exemplary arrangements the system may include a plurality ofgeographically dispersed repositories such as repository 670. Repository670 includes a body having a plurality of separated compartment interiorareas each of which bound a respective enclosed compartment space thatis suitable for holding one or more parcels. Each of the interior areasis selectively accessible by authorized users who are enabled to unlockcompartment associated locks and open closure members such as respectivedoors that are movable to provide access to respective compartmentinterior areas. Each respective repository may be operated as anoriginating repository as well as an intermediate or final destinationrepository. Thus the exemplary system provides for a fully connectedphysical topography of repositories.

In exemplary arrangements each of the plurality of repositories is inoperative connection with central system circuitry like that previouslydiscussed which is alternatively referred to herein as controlcircuitry. The exemplary central system circuitry operates as a controlgrid to manage item carrier authorizations and assignments. The centralsystem circuitry also performs monitoring of the pickups of parcels fromoriginating repositories and the delivery of parcels into thedestination repositories. Further in exemplary arrangements themonitoring functions of the central system circuitry may operate toassure that parcel items are delivered in accordance with requiredschedules and/or other handling requirements that may be associated withparticular parcels.

Further in exemplary arrangements the central system circuitry whichcontrols the acceptance, transport and delivery of parcels, providesuseful aspects compared to other parcel distribution methods. This isachieved in some arrangements due to the handling, transport and sortingof a relatively small number of parcels by each authorized shipping userand item carrier user of the system. For example in exemplaryarrangements, each item carrier will generally be involved in handlingless than 10 parcels simultaneously at any given time.

The use of crowd sourced item carriers receiving parcels fromoriginating depositories and transporting parcels through intermediatedestination repositories, facilitates the transport and delivery ofparcels. As item carriers act to provide parcel transport generally incoordination with their other activities such as commuting or othertravel, the ability to move parcels to a final destination repository isfacilitated even though item carriers may only be willing to carryparcels a portion of the overall parcel transport path. Further theexemplary arrangements provide for item carrier compensation fortransport of parcels, which compensation may be readily obtained by theitem carrier in connection with their normal commuting or travelactivities

The exemplary parcel repository 670 shown in FIGS. 45-48 is configuredto operate as a free standing device and perform the functionsassociated with an originating depository and a destination repositoryconcurrently for a plurality of parcels. The exemplary repository 670includes a body which is alternatively referred to herein as a housing672. The housing is supported on a base 674. The base 74 includes aforward extending portion 676. The forward extending portion of theexemplary arrangement includes a front to rearward upwardly sloped face678.

The exemplary repository housing 672 further includes a top or cap 680.The exemplary top includes a roof panel 682. Roof panel 682 is slopeddownward from front to rear of the housing 672. The top 680 furtherincludes a forward extending cornice 684. Cornice 684 extends forwardbeyond the front of the central position of the housing 672.

Cornice 684 has a sloped face 686 that is sloped toward the rear of thehousing further downward along the face 686.

The exemplary face 686 includes a recess 688. Recess 688 includes a lens690. The exemplary lens 690 is translucent to enable illumination of thefront of the housing by one or more lamps that are positioned within thehousing. The cornice 684 further includes a port or opening 692 therein.An electronics housing 694 extends in the opening 692. The electronicshousing 694 is configured to hold control circuitry 696 which may be ofthe type previously discussed, as well as at least one sensor or inputdevice 698 such as a camera or scanner and a wireless portal.

The exemplary housing 672 includes a pair of side panels 700, 702 and aback panel 704. Panels 700, 702 and 704 bound a partitioned housinginterior that includes a plurality of separated interior areas. Lockerdoors 706, 708, 710, 712 714, 716, 718, 720, 722 and 724 are eachmovably mounted in operative supported connection with the housing 762through respective hinges 726. Each of the locker doors selectivelycontrols access to a respective interior area within the housing 672. Inthe exemplary arrangement each of the doors is changeable between alocked condition and an unlocked condition responsive to a respectiveelectrically actuated lock in a manner similar to that used in thepreviously described repository arrangements.

The exemplary repository 670 is in operative connection with controlcircuitry which may function in a manner similar to that described inconnection with repository 10. In addition repository 670 may includesuitable power sources, sensors, input and output devices cameras,microphones and wireless portals that operate in ways like thosediscussed in connection with the previously described repositories. Insome exemplary arrangements the repository 670 may operate responsiveentirely to wireless communication with remote central system circuitryand local portable wireless devices. For example user identifyinginformation, access codes and other data that is required to becommunicated to the control circuitry of repository 670 may be receivedvia a wireless portal, rather than keypads, touchscreens or other typesof manually actuatable input devices. Further in exemplary arrangementsmay provide outputs wirelessly that can be perceived by system usersadjacent to the repository through their portable wireless devices. Inthis manner the exemplary repository avoids having externally accessiblecomponents that may be subject to vandalism or tampering. Of course itshould be understood that these approaches are exemplary and in otherarrangements other approaches may be used.

It should be understood that the number of separate enclosed compartmentspaces within repository 760 is exemplary, and other repositories mayhave different numbers of separately accessible interior areas. Theexemplary repository 670 also includes a pair of smaller sized interiorareas corresponding to doors 720, 722 compared to the other interiorareas, and a single large interior area corresponding to door 714. Otherparcel repositories used in connection with exemplary systems may havedifferent numbers and sizes of compartments and compartment spaces so asto accommodate the sizes of parcels being handled through operation ofthe repository. Other exemplary repositories may be comprised ofseparate housings that are positioned in adjacent relation so as toprovide larger numbers of compartments with interior areas for theacceptance and release of parcels. Such multiple repositories may becontrolled responsive to common control circuitry and a single userinterface, or may be separately controlled and operable independent ofan adjacent repository. Further, the exemplary repository is configuredto be positioned in a location that is readily accessible to groundtransportation routes. Such configuration facilitates access to therepository by shipper users, item carriers and parcel recipients.

FIG. 49 shows a system 728 of an exemplary arrangement and the flow ofparcels which may occur between repositories in such a system. Theexemplary system includes repository 670 as well as a plurality of otherrepositories schematically indicated 730, 732, 734, 736, and 738. In theexemplary arrangement the repositories included in the system may besimilar to repository 760 or the other repositories described herein. Inalternative arrangements other repository configurations may be used. Itshould be understood that the exemplary system further includes centralsystem circuitry which may be similar to the central system circuitrypreviously discussed.

As represented by arrows T, parcels may be moved between repositories inthe system by item carriers. As represented in FIG. 49 parcels that areinput to the exemplary system at repository 670 that are required to bedelivered at remote final destination repository 734 may be transportedin numerous different ways depending on the available item carriers. Forexample, in some situations a parcel may be transported by an itemcarrier directly from the originating repository 670 to the finaldestination repository 734, as represented by Arrow 740. Such a directtransport from the originating repository to the final destinationrepository may be the result of the fortuitous availability of an itemcarrier who is available to make such direct transport. Alternativelysuch a direct route for the parcel may be the result of the shippinguser paying an incentive fee for prompt delivery or other circumstances.

In alternative circumstances a parcel that is received in originatingrepository 670 that is determined by the central system circuitry asrequired to move to repository 734 as the final destination repository,may be moved by item carriers to one or more intermediate destinationrepositories before reaching the final destination repository. Forexample a parcel may be moved from the originating repository 670 tointermediate destination repository 730 by an initial item carrier asrepresented by Arrow 742. The parcel may then be moved from repository730 to interim destination repository 732 by another item carrier asrepresented by Arrow 744. Finally the parcel may be moved fromrepository 732 to the final destination repository 734 by another itemcarrier as represented by Arrow 746. Of course as can be appreciatedfrom the other arrows shown in FIG. 49, the parcel may take a moredirect path to the final destination repository 734 as a result of theavailability of other item carriers that can transport the parcel alongthe more direct path.

As can be appreciated, the exemplary system 728 may also be operatedresponsive to the central system circuitry to achieve parcel deliveriesto a final destination repository in a more rapid manner than mightotherwise occur based on the availability of item carriers. For examplethe programming associated with the central system circuitry may providefor the consolidation of multiple parcel transport jobs that can beoffered to a single item carrier as an incentive to complete the parceltransports more quickly. For example the exemplary central systemcircuitry may operate to accommodate transport of a collection or bundleof parcels to an intermediate destination repository that may not be onthe most direct path to a final system repository for some of theparcels. However, by moving the parcels to an interim destinationrepository that is closer to the final destination repository morequickly via transport consolidation, the system may achieve delivery atthe final destination repository more quickly than might otherwiseoccur. Further the central system circuitry may take advantage of itemcarriers who have extended time or delivery location availabilitycompared to other item carriers to achieve movement of more parcels tointerim destination repository locations, from which delivery at thefinal destination repositories may be more rapidly achieved. As can beappreciated these results may be based on the central system circuitryevaluating factors such as available item carriers and carrier locationsduring different dates and times, as well as other factors that areusable to predict and optimize parcel transport.

Of course as can be appreciated, from a shipper user perspective, theoperation of the exemplary system 728 achieves the delivery of deliveryitems such as parcels from an initial originating location such as afirst repository to a final location such as a destination repository.As a result, conceptually the shipment may be considered to have auniversal origin as represented schematically as 748, and a universaldestination as represented schematically as 750. Although a given parcelmay be transported under the control of the central system circuitrythrough numerous different intermediate parcel repositories by differentitem carriers, such system activity does not involve the shipper user orthe delivery item parcel recipient.

Of course it should be understood that exemplary systems may beimplemented in various network topographies such as a peer to peernetwork communications environment between devices included in thesystem. Alternatively, the network topography may include a centralizeddedicated network adapted to cooperatively link the various systemcomponents. Of course other arrangements may include combinations ofdifferent system and network topographies to achieve communicationsbetween the different system components.

As can be appreciated from the prior discussion in connection withrepository 10, the exemplary system 728 may provide for communicationthrough central system circuitry with numerous different types ofauthorized and/or registered system users who carry out different rolesin connection with the system. For example in exemplary arrangementsnetwork communication may be provided with the wireless carrier contactdevices of item carriers to determine transport availability and toprovide transport assignments. Further in exemplary arrangements suchcarrier contact devices may be utilized for purposes of tracking parcelsin transport via GPS or other location monitoring systems. In additioncamera or other reader equipped carrier contact devices may be utilizedfor purposes of scanning machine-readable indicia on parcels,determining size information of parcels or carrying out other actions.Similarly such wireless devices may include wireless portals whichenable communication wirelessly with repositories so as to communicateinformation necessary to access selected interior areas for purposes ofreceiving or depositing parcels.

Further as can be appreciated, in exemplary arrangements the networkcommunications between the repositories and the central system circuitrymay be operative to communicate status and operational information ofthe types previously discussed. Such information may facilitate thequick repair of any repository malfunctions and the avoidance of futuremalfunctions for which symptoms can be detected in advance. Similarlysuch communications may achieve capturing and retaining documentationregarding parcel receipt, transport and delivery such as by the captureof sensor data and other data associated therewith. This may include forexample the capture and retention of image data and other data that isusable to document and verify activities related to various parcels. Ofcourse these functions and capabilities are exemplary and in otherarrangements different or alternative approaches may be used.

FIG. 50 schematically represents components utilized in connection withan exemplary system such as system 728. In the exemplary arrangement thecentral system circuitry 752 comprises at least one processor 754 inoperative connection with at least one data store 756. As previouslydiscussed, although in this exemplary arrangement the central systemcircuitry may be represented as a central server or other computerdevice, in other exemplary arrangements distributed processing andcontrol of the system may be provided in a cloud environment or in avirtual environment within one or more shared platforms.

The exemplary central system circuitry 752 is in operative connectionwith one or more interfaces schematically indicated 758. The interfaces758 provide communications connectivity to other system components whichcommunicate in the system. One or more communication interfaces 760 areprovided to enable communication of the central system circuitry 752 inthe different wired and/or wireless networks to which the componentsincluded in the system are connected. Of course it should be understoodthat in various embodiments numerous different types of communicationsinterfaces may be used.

The plurality of parcel repositories are in operative connection withthe system through the network and send communications through aninterface 760. Such repositories are represented schematically by arepository 762. Repository 762 may include components similar torepository 760 or the other repositories that have been previouslydiscussed. As schematically shown, each repository includes a pluralityof connected components as represented schematically by sensors 764 andactuators 766.

The exemplary system further includes carrier contact devices which areutilized by item carriers in a manner like that previously discussed.Such wireless carrier contact devices such as smart phones arerepresented by device 768. Such carrier contact devices include controlcircuitry therein. The control circuitry may include for example ascanner and/or code reader circuitry 770. The exemplary carrier contactdevice may also include a tracking application such as a GPS circuitry772. Interface circuitry suitable for communicating with the centralsystem circuitry 774 may also be included in the exemplary item carriercontact device. Of course it should be understood that these devicecomponents are exemplary and other arrangements other or additionalcomponents may be used.

As schematically indicated, in the exemplary system devices operated byshipper users as schematically represented 776, may also be in operativeconnection with the central system circuitry through interfaces 760.Shipper user devices 776 may operate in a manner like that previouslydiscussed to provide communications which enable parcel delivery itemsto the transported through the system and delivered into the interiorarea of an originating repository. As can be appreciated numerousdifferent types of shipper user devices and systems may be operative tocommunicate in the system. The exemplary system further includes one ormore administrator devices schematically indicated 778. Suchadministrator devices may be utilized for purposes of monitoringoperation of other devices in the system, providing the mechanism foradding and removing authorized/registered users of the system, receivingalerts or problems identified through operation of system components,generating reports and other information, and providing other oversightand monitoring functions. Of course it should be understood that thisschematic representation of system components is merely a high levelrepresentation of those system components that are included in anexemplary arrangement.

As has been previously described in detailed examples, the exemplarysystem enables a shipper user to utilize the system to ship a parcelfrom an originating location to a destination location through operationof the shipper user device 776. The shipper user device may be operativeto provide to the system information regarding the shipment such as forexample the ID token associated with the shipper that is recognized bybeing registered or otherwise authorized to participate in the system.With regard to the particular shipment, the shipping user device mayprovide information regarding the delivery item and its transportincluding the originating and destination locations, schedulingrequirements (if applicable), item dimensions, weight characteristicsand markings, and other information such as a funds source for paymentfor the shipment.

The exemplary central system circuitry 752 may operate in accordancewith the information received from the shipper device to determine anoriginating repository and a final destination repository for theparticular parcel. The exemplary central system circuitry may also carryout other functions such as checking for space availability in theoriginating repository. The central system circuitry may also provideother information like that previously discussed, that enables theshipper user to apply a label including machine-readable indicia to theparcel that includes a delivery item identifier or other informationwhich is usable to identify the particular parcel in the system. Thecentral system circuitry may also provide to the shipper user device,location information regarding the designated originating depository, anitem depositor access code and other information that enables theshipper user to place the parcel in a designated interior area of theoriginating repository.

The exemplary system circuitry also operates to evaluate available itemcarriers, current item carrier locations and available locationdestinations for item transport. The central system circuitry mayoperate in a manner like that discussed to optimize parcel transport orto consolidate movement of multiple parcels to facilitate the receipt ofsuch parcels at each final destination repository. Central systemcircuitry may also present opportunity messages to item carriers andassigned transport jobs to such item carriers. The central systemcircuitry may also monitor such item carriers to assure that performanceof transport jobs is timely commenced, and if not, may reassigntransport jobs to other item carriers.

The exemplary arrangements further enable the central system circuitryto monitor repositories for purposes of determining the placement andremoval of parcels into selected interior areas by providing access toauthorized users such as shipper users, item carriers, and final parcelrecipients. The central system circuitry operates in coordination withthe control circuitry of the repositories to monitor the placement, andtaking of each parcel between each originating repository anddestination repository. Further the exemplary system tracks the parceland assures the desired movement of the parcel to its final destinationrepository. The exemplary arrangement further operates to provide therecipient of each parcel with notification of the receipt of the parcelat the final destination repository. The system provides selectivecontrolled access to enable the recipient to remove the parcel from theinterior area of the final destination repository, and documents thetaking thereof so as to assure that the parcel has been properlydelivered. Further in exemplary arrangements the charges and creditsassociated with the transport of items are provided through the centralsystem circuitry to assure that parcel transports are paid for and thatparticipants in the system are credited as appropriate for theiractivities. Of course it should be understood that the functions,activities and approaches described herein are exemplary and in otherarrangements other approaches may be used.

Further as previously discussed in some exemplary arrangements thecentral circuitry may be operated so that item carriers deliver parcelsto the destination address of the recipient. In such arrangements thecentral circuitry may be operative to determine a common route which maybe followed by an item carrier to deliver multiple parcels to therecipient addresses. In such arrangements an item carrier may collectthe parcels from one or more compartments within the interior area of arepository responsive to the central system giving access thereto. Theuser may then utilize their portable wireless device to document thetaking of the parcels from the repository for delivery. Further in someexemplary arrangements the central circuitry may be operative to causethe placement of multiple parcels that will be transported together intoa group or bundle that is collected via placement in a singlecompartment. This may be done to facilitate the ability of the itemcarrier to obtain the items to be transported by the item carrier in ashorter period of time. In such arrangements the central system mayprovide the item carrier with the destination address of each parcel.The item carrier may then document the delivery of each parcel at therespective destination address through operation of their mobilewireless device in a manner like that previously discussed. Of coursethese approaches are exemplary and other arrangements other approachesmay be used.

In some exemplary arrangements the control circuitry associated with theparcel repositories is operative to maintain information concerning theavailable compartment volume in each enclosed compartment space. Thiscapability enables the control circuitry to determine where a particularparcel may be placed within the compartments of a particular repository.Further in exemplary arrangements the ability to determine the availablevolume in compartments enables the control circuitry to determine if aplurality of parcels which may be subsequently transported together as agroup or bundle by an item carrier, can be placed together in a singlecompartment. This capability may facilitate the ability of the itemcarrier to obtain the parcels from the repository so that they can bemore readily accessed and transported to a destination repository orother destination.

In some exemplary systems the at least one data store associated withthe central system circuitry includes data corresponding to informationthat is accessible to item carrier contact devices and that can be usedto facilitate the placement of parcels into and the removal of parcelsfrom repositories. Such additional data is used in exemplaryarrangements to assist item carriers in locating repositories and alsoin carrying out the necessary processes to access and carry out thenecessary parcel transactions at each repository. Such additional datamay also be usable by item carriers to locate areas at customeraddresses where shipments may originate or be delivered.

Thus the exemplary embodiments described herein achieve improvedoperation, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of priordevices and systems, and attain the useful results described herein.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding. However, no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the inventive featuresare not limited to the features shown and described.

Further in the following claims any feature described as a means forperforming a function shall be construed as encompassing any means knownto those skilled in the art as being capable of carrying out the recitedfunction and shall not be deemed limited to the particular means shownor described for performing the recited function in the foregoingdescription or mere equivalents thereof.

It should be understood that features and/or relationships associatedwith one embodiment can be combined with features and/or relationshipsfrom another embodiment. That is, various features and/or relationshipsfrom various embodiments can be combined in further embodiments. Theinventive scope of the disclosure is not limited to only the embodimentsshown or described herein.

The term “non-transitory” with regard to a computer readable medium isintended to exclude only the subject matter of a transitory signal, perse, where the medium itself is transitory. The term “non-transitory” isnot intended to exclude any other form of computer readable media,including but not limited to media comprising data that is onlytemporarily stored or stored in a transitory fashion. Should the lawchange to allow computer readable medium itself to be transitorysignals, then this exclusion is no longer valid or binding.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theexemplary embodiments, the manner in which they are constructed andoperated, and the advantages and useful results attained, the new anduseful structures, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations,systems, equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships areset forth in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. Apparatus comprising: a depository that operates to acceptand make available deposit items to authorized users, including a body,wherein the body bounds an interior area configured for storage ofdeposit items, wherein the body includes an opening to the interiorarea, a door, wherein the door is movably mounted in operativeconnection with the body, wherein the door is movable between a closedposition wherein the door closes the opening, and an open positionwherein the interior area is accessible from outside the body, a lock,wherein the lock is in operative connection with the door, wherein thelock is selectively changeable between a locked condition, wherein inthe locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in theclosed position, and an unlocked condition, wherein in the unlockedcondition the door is movable from the closed position to the openposition, wherein the depository is in operative connection with atleast one externally accessible input device, wherein the at least oneinput device is operatively accessible with the door in the closedposition, at least one reading device, wherein the at least one readingdevice is configured to read item indicia on an item configured to beplaced in the interior area, wherein the item indicia uniquelyidentifies the item, and control circuitry, wherein the controlcircuitry is in operative connection with the lock, the at least oneinput device, the at least one reading device, wherein the controlcircuitry is operative to cause a user authorization determination thatuser identifying information received through the at least one inputdevice corresponds to an authorized user that is authorized to accessthe interior area, responsive at least in part to the read item indicia,an item determination that the read item indicia corresponds to storeddata for a deposit item that is authorized prior to receipt of the useridentifying information, to be placed in the interior area of thedepository, responsive at least in part to the item determination, atleast one indication to be provided that the item is authorized to beplaced in the interior area, responsive at least in part to at least oneof the user authorization determination and the item determination, thelock to be changeable from the locked condition to the unlockedcondition, whereby the item is enabled to be placed in the interiorarea.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the controlcircuitry is further operative to cause the lock to be in the lockedcondition such that the door is held in the closed position when thedoor is closed after the item has been placed in the interior area. 3.The apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising: at least oneindicator in operative connection with the control circuitry, whereinthe at least one indicator is operative to provide a visuallyperceivable output responsive at least in part to the itemdetermination.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 1 and furthercomprising: at least one indicator in operative connection with thecontrol circuitry, wherein a portable wireless device associated withthe authorized user includes the at least one indicator, wherein the atleast one indicator is operative to provide a user perceivable outputresponsive at least in part to the item determination.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the control circuitry is further operativeto cause after the item has been placed in the interior area, responsiveat least in part to the at least one reading device, calculation of anamount of open space that remains within the interior area, data to bestored corresponding to the amount of open space in at least one datastore in operative connection with the control circuitry.
 6. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the depository further includesat least one weight sensor, wherein the at least one weight sensor is inoperative connection with the control circuitry, wherein the controlcircuitry is further operative to cause responsive at least in part toaddition of weight to the interior area sensed by the at least oneweight sensor, an action status determination indicative that the itemwas placed in the interior area.
 7. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the at least one reading device includes a camera, wherein theread item indicia is read from the deposit item by the camera.
 8. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one reading devicecomprises: a camera, wherein a portable wireless device associated withthe authorized user includes the camera, wherein the portable wirelessdevice is operative to communicate the read item indicia to the controlcircuitry.
 9. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the controlcircuitry further includes a clock, and at least one data store, whereinthe control circuitry is further operative to cause data correspondingto the identifying information, the item indicia, and at least one timeassociated with placement of the item in the interior area, to be storedin the at least one data store.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9wherein the at least one reading device includes a camera, wherein thecontrol circuitry is operative to cause images of the user and the itemto be stored in the at least one data store.
 11. The apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein the depository includes at least one sensor, whereinthe at least one sensor is usable to determine at least one of itemweight or size, wherein the at least one sensor is in operativeconnection with the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry isoperative to make a delivery determination responsive at least in partto the at least one reading device and the at least one sensor,indicative that the deposit item has been placed in the interior area ofthe depository, wherein the control circuitry is operative to cause apayment for transport of the item to be made to the authorized userresponsive at least in part to the delivery determination.
 12. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one input devicecomprises an RF input device, wherein the RF input device is operativeto communicate wireless RF signals with a portable wireless deviceassociated with the authorized user.
 13. The apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the at least one input device comprises an RF inputdevice, wherein the RF input device is operative to communicate wirelessRF signals with a portable wireless device associated with theauthorized user, wherein the RF signals include the user identifyinginformation that corresponds to the authorized user.
 14. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the at least one input device comprises anRF input device, wherein the RF input device is operative to communicatewireless RF signals with a portable wireless device associated with theauthorized user, wherein the depository further includes at least oneweight sensor, wherein the at least one weight sensor is in operativeconnection with the control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry isfurther operative to cause responsive at least in part to the at leastone weight sensor sensing addition of weight to the interior area, anaction status determination indicative that the item is placed in theinterior area, responsive at least in part to the action statusdetermination at least one wireless message to be sent to the portablewireless device, wherein the at least one wireless message is operativeto cause the portable device to provide an output corresponding to aninstruction to close the door associated with the opening to theinterior area.
 15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the atleast one input device comprises an RF input device, wherein the RFinput device is operative to communicate wireless RF signals with aportable wireless device associated with the authorized user, whereinthe control circuitry is further operative to cause subsequent to theuser authorization determination, at least one wireless message to becommunicated with the portable wireless device, wherein the at least onewireless message is operative to cause the portable wireless device toprovide an output that corresponds to a request to provide at least oneinput to the portable wireless device to confirm that the authorizeduser has placed the item in the interior area of the depository.
 16. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the at least one input devicecomprises an RF input device, wherein the RF input device is operativeto communicate wireless RF signals with a portable wireless deviceassociated with the authorized user, wherein the control circuitry isfurther operative to cause subsequent to the user authorizationdetermination, at least one wireless message to be communicated with theportable wireless device, wherein the at least one wireless message isoperative to cause the portable wireless device to provide an outputthat corresponds to a request to provide at least one input to theportable wireless device to confirm that the authorized user has placedthe item in the interior area of the depository, the control circuitryto be operative to receive at least one further wireless messageindicative that the authorized user has provided the at least one inputto confirm placement of the item in the interior area.
 17. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the control circuitry is further operativeto cause a further user authorization determination to be made thatfurther identifying information received through the at least one inputdevice corresponds to a further authorized user that is authorized toaccess the interior area, responsive at least in part to the furtheruser authorization determination, the lock to be changeable from thelocked condition to the unlocked condition, whereby the item is enabledto be removed from the interior area by the further authorized user. 18.The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the depository includes atleast one weight sensor, wherein the at least one weight sensor is inoperative connection with control circuitry, wherein the controlcircuitry is further operative to cause a further user authorizationdetermination to be made that further identifying information receivedthrough the at least one input device corresponds to a furtherauthorized user that is authorized to access the interior area,responsive at least in part to the further user authorizationdetermination, the lock to be changed from the locked condition to theunlocked condition, whereby the item is enabled to be removed from theinterior area by the further authorized user, wherein the controlcircuitry is operative to make a pickup determination responsive atleast in part to at least one signal of the at least one weight sensor,indicative that the item has been removed from the interior area of thedepository subsequent to the lock being changed to the unlockedcondition.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the depositoryincludes at least one weight sensor, wherein the at least one weightsensor is in operative connection with control circuitry, wherein thecontrol circuitry is in operative connection with at least one datastore, wherein the control circuitry is further operative to cause afurther user authorization determination to be made that furtheridentifying information received through the at least one input devicecorresponds to a further authorized user that is authorized to accessthe interior area, responsive at least in part to the further userauthorization determination, the lock to be changed from the lockedcondition to the unlocked condition, whereby the item is enabled to beremoved from the interior area by the further authorized user, whereinthe control circuitry is operative to make a pickup determinationresponsive at least in part to at least one signal of the at least oneweight sensor, indicative that the item has been removed from theinterior area of the depository subsequent to the lock being changed tothe unlocked condition responsive to the further user authorizationdetermination, wherein the control circuitry is operative responsive atleast in part to the pickup determination to store data indicative thatthe item is in the possession of the further authorized user.
 20. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the depository includes at leastone weight sensor, wherein the at least one weight sensor is inoperative connection with control circuitry, wherein the controlcircuitry is further operative to cause a further user authorizationdetermination to be made that the received further identifyinginformation received through the at least one input device correspondsto a further authorized user that is authorized to access the interiorarea, responsive at least in part to the further user authorizationdetermination, the lock to be changed from the locked condition to theunlocked condition, whereby the item is enabled to be removed from theinterior area by the further authorized user, at least one wirelessmessage to be sent to a portable wireless device associated with thefurther authorized user, wherein the at least one wireless message isoperative to cause the portable wireless device to provide an outputthat corresponds to a request to provide at least one input to theportable wireless device that is operative to confirm that the furtherauthorized user has removed the item from the interior area of thedepository.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the controlcircuitry is further operative to cause a further user authorizationdetermination to be made that further identifying information receivedthrough the at least one input device corresponds to a furtherauthorized user that is authorized to access the interior area,responsive at least in part to the further user authorizationdetermination, the lock to be changed from the locked condition to theunlocked condition, whereby the item is enabled to be removed from theinterior area by the further authorized user, at least one wirelessmessage to be sent to a portable wireless device associated with thefurther authorized user, wherein the at least one wireless message isoperative to cause the portable wireless device to provide an outputthat corresponds to a request to provide at least one input to theportable wireless device that is operative to confirm that the furtherauthorized user has removed the item from the interior area of thedepository.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the controlcircuitry is further operative to cause a further user authorizationdetermination to be made that further identifying information receivedthrough the at least one input device corresponds to a furtherauthorized user that is authorized to access the interior area,responsive at least in part to the further user authorizationdetermination, the lock to be changed from the locked condition to theunlocked condition, whereby the item is enabled to be removed from theinterior area by the further authorized user, at least one wirelessmessage to be sent to a portable wireless device associated with thefurther authorized user, wherein the at least one wireless message isoperative to cause the portable wireless device to provide an outputthat corresponds to a request to provide at least one input to theportable wireless device to confirm that the further authorized user hasremoved the item from the interior area of the depository, at least onefurther wireless message to be received by the control circuitryindicative that the further authorized user has provided the at leastone input to confirm removal of the item, location tracking of theportable wireless device associated with the further authorized user whoremoved the item from the interior area of the depository.
 23. Theapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the control circuitry is furtheroperative to cause a further user authorization determination to be madethat further identifying information received through the at least oneinput device corresponds to a further authorized user that is authorizedto access the interior area, responsive at least in part to the furtheruser authorization determination, the lock to be changed from the lockedcondition to the unlocked condition, whereby the item is enabled to beremoved from the interior area by the further authorized user, at leastone wireless message to be sent to a portable wireless device associatedwith the further authorized user, wherein the at least one wirelessmessage is operative to cause the portable wireless device to provide anoutput that corresponds to a request to provide at least one input tothe portable wireless device to confirm that the further authorized userhas removed the item from the interior area of the depository, at leastone further wireless message to be sent to the portable wireless device,wherein the at least one further wireless message is operative to causethe portable wireless device to provide a further output thatcorresponds to a reminder to close the door associated with interiorarea from which the item has been removed.
 24. Apparatus comprising: adepository that operates to accept and make available deposit items toauthorized users, including a body, wherein the body bounds an interiorarea configured for storage of deposit items, wherein the body includesan opening to the interior area, a door, wherein the door is movablymounted in operative connection with the body, wherein the door ismovable between a closed position wherein the door closes the opening,and an open position wherein the interior area is accessible fromoutside the body, a lock, wherein the lock is in operative connectionwith the door, wherein the lock is selectively changeable between alocked condition, wherein in the locked condition the lock is operativeto hold the door in the closed position, and an unlocked condition,wherein in the unlocked condition the door is movable from the closedposition to the open position, wherein the depository is in operativeconnection with at least one externally accessible input device, whereinthe at least one input device is operatively accessible with the door inthe closed position, at least one reading device, wherein the at leastone reading device is operative to read indicia on an item that ispositionable in the interior area, wherein the item indicia uniquelyidentifies the item, control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry isin operative connection with the lock, the at least one input device,the at least one reading device, wherein the control circuitry isoperative to cause a user authorization determination that useridentifying information received through the at least one input devicecorresponds to an authorized user that is authorized to access theinterior area, an item determination responsive to at least in part tothe read item indicia, that the read item indicia corresponds to storeddata for a deposit item that is authorized to be placed into theinterior area, wherein the stored data is determined prior to thereceipt of the user identifying information, responsive at least in partto the item determination, the user to be provided a perceivableindication that the item is authorized to be placed in the interiorarea, responsive at least in part to at least one of the userauthorization determination and the item determination, the lock to bechangeable from the locked condition to the unlocked condition, wherebythe item is enabled to be placed in the interior area.